Alabama lawmakers advance legislation to protect IVF providers, with …

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers facing public pressure to get in vitro fertilization services restarted in the state advanced legislation Tuesday to shield providers from the fallout of a court ruling that equated frozen embryos to children.

Committees in the state Senate and House approved nearly identical bills that would protect providers from lawsuits and criminal prosecution for the “damage or death of an embryo” during IVF services. Lawmakers are aiming to give final approval Wednesday and send the legislation to Gov. Kay Ivey to be signed into law.

“We anticipate the IVF protections legislation to receive final passage this week and look forward to the governor signing it into law,” Ivey spokeswoman Gina Maiola said.

Three major IVF providers paused services after the Alabama Supreme Court ruling last month that three couples who had frozen embryos destroyed in an accident at a storage facility could pursue wrongful death…