Arkansas Code
Subchapter 5 - Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative Act
§ 20-8-506. Arkansas Commission for the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative — Powers and duties

(a) The Arkansas Commission for the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative shall:
(1) Investigate the implementation of this subchapter and recommend improvements in this subchapter to the General Assembly;
(2) Make available to the public the records of all meetings of the commission and of all business transacted by the commission;
(3) Oversee the operations of the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Bank, including without limitation the approval of all fees established to cover administration, collection, and storage costs;
(4) Undertake the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative by promoting awareness of the blood bank and encouraging donation of postnatal tissue and fluid to the blood bank;
(5) Ensure the privacy of persons who donate umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid, and placental tissue to the blood bank;
(6) Develop a plan for making postnatal tissue and fluid collected under the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative available for scientific research and medical treatment in compliance with all relevant national practice and quality standards;
(7) Develop a plan for private storage of postnatal tissue and fluid for medical treatment;
(8) Participate in the National Cord Blood Program and register postnatal tissue and fluid collected with registries operating in connection with the National Cord Blood Program;
(9) If funds are available, request the Department of Health to employ staff and enter into contracts necessary to implement this subchapter, and reimburse the department for the cost of implementing this subchapter; and
(10) Report annually to the General Assembly on or before October 1 of each year concerning the activities of the commission.

(b) The commission may seek additional funding from any source, including without limitation federal grants and private grants.

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