TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Minister of Health and Welfare, Hsueh Jui-yuan, confirmed Wednesday (Nov 8), that planned amendments to the "Assisted Reproduction Act" would include changes to surrogacy policies, an issue debated for nearly three decades.
Wu Chao-chun, Director-General of the Health Promotion Administration, said the law amendments would also be extended to include same-sex marriage, single women, and provisions to protect children's rights. The draft law will be made public early next year and is projected to be reviewed by the Executive Yuan by the year's end.
Presidential candidates from all camps in the upcoming election have called for surrogacy policy consideration in the public debate. Among them, Ko Wen-je, the Taiwan People's Party's presidential candidate, invited long-term surrogacy policy advocate Chen Chao-tzu for discussion and was rumored to be adding her to the party's legislator-at-large list.
Responding to speculation, Hsueh stated that the amendments drafted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) were not influenced by Ko's political platform.
He underlined that the current artificial reproduction law only permits opposite-sex couples to use the technique. At the same time, the proposed legislation will extend coverage to same-sex partners, single women, and surrogate mothers.
Wu notes that the effort to amend the "Assisted Reproduction Act" has been ongoing for two-and-a-half years, with a preliminary draft of 42 articles finalized and 13 expert meetings held.
The draft is scheduled for announcement in the next two quarters and will be forwarded to the MOHW for review in August or September 2024 and later to the Executive Yuan by year-end.
Wu emphasized that the revision of the law aims to protect children's rights while considering same-sex marriage, single women, and surrogacy issues. Those requiring surrogacy services must seek professional consultation and sign legal contracts, assuring rights and obligations are outlined for both parties.
