- The Union Cabinet has approved the introduction of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019. The Bill had been passed by the last Lok Sabha but lapsed after dissolution of the House.
- The objectives of the bill are to: a) ensure effective regulation of surrogacy, b) prohibit commercial surrogacy and c) allow ethical altruistic surrogacy to the needy infertile Indian couples on fulfilment of conditions
- The bill also prohibits exploitation of surrogate mothers and children born through surrogacy.
- The Bill proposes to regulate surrogacy in India by establishing a National Surrogacy Board at the central level and state surrogacy boards and appropriate authorities in the state and Union Territories
- The 228th report of the Commission of India has recommended prohibiting commercial surrogacy and allowing altruistic surrogacy by enacting suitable legislation.
- Surrogacy is the practice whereby one woman carries the child for another with the intention that the child should be handed over after birth
- Altruistic surrogacy involves an arrangement where the couple does not pay the surrogate mother any compensation other than the medical and insurance expenses related to the pregnancy
- Commercial surrogacy includes compensation (in cash or kind) paid to the surrogate mother, which exceeds the reasonable medical expenses associated with the pregnancy
