Theresa M. Erickson, The Surrogacy Lawyer, Testifies Before California State Senate In Support of Legislation to Strengthen Surrogacy Protections for Intended Parents
"This legislation would provide a measure of protection for these individuals who already are undergoing so much stress and don't need to feel they are risking their life savings to fulfill their dreams of becoming parents." - Theresa M. Erickson


SAN DIEGO, CA, June 30, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Surrogacy Attorney Theresa Erickson testified before the California Senate Judiciary Committee on June 22, 2010 in support of proposed legislation AB 2426 that would strengthen consumer protections for intended parents who enter into surrogacy arrangements. Ms. Erickson has been working closely with California Assembly Member Steven C. Bradford and his staff to draft the details of the bill.

AB 2426 would require surrogacy agencies that do not employ licensed attorneys to have prospective parents deposit funds in either an independent escrow account or an attorney's trust account for safekeeping and disbursement for surrogate payments, medical expenses and other fees. Licensed attorneys running surrogacy agencies are already required to do this.

The impetus for this bill came after several instances of surrogacy agencies absconding with client funds, leaving would-be parents on the hook for unpaid medical bills and/or disappearing with their money before surrogacy arrangements could be made. One of the most publicized and egregious examples of this was the California agency where its president was also listed as the registered agency for the escrow company, tricking clients into thinking their assets were safe and pilfering over $2 million.

"It is shameful that some surrogacy agencies have preyed on their clients during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives - when they are trying to have a desperately wanted child through third party reproduction," states Ms. Erickson, Esq. "This legislation would provide a measure of protection for these individuals who already are undergoing so much stress and don't need to feel they are risking their life savings to fulfill their dreams of becoming parents."

Ms. Erickson was motivated to write her soon to be released second book, Surrogacy and Embryo, Sperm & Egg Donation: What Were You Thinking? in part by events like these. Her goal is to educate potential intended parents, as well as the women who become surrogates and egg donors, about what all parties need to know to protect themselves and future children if they are going to become involved in third party reproduction.

Ms. Erickson is a globally recognized expert in this specialized area of law. She is managing partner of Erickson Law, APLC, and the founder and chair of Conceptual Options (http://www.ConceptualOptions.com), A Center for Surrogacy and Egg Donation. Attorney Erickson is also a board member of the American Fertility Association and the legal director of Parents Via Egg Donation.

For more information, please visit www.ericksonlaw.net.

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Theresa Erickson
Erickson Law, APLC
Managing Partner
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Poway, CA
USA 92064
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