Podiatric Medicine

The term 'stem cell therapy' was changed to 'procedures using cellular or tissue-based products' to broaden the types of treatments covered under the law.

The list of authorized treatments was expanded to include connective tissue, ligament, and tendon repair, in addition to orthopedics, wound care, and pain management.

A new exclusion was added to the definition of covered products, explicitly stating that harvesting and reimplantation of autologous tissue (a patient's own tissue) is not subject to the bill's restrictions.

The required patient consent form was updated to include a specific statement that the products have not yet been approved by the FDA and to encourage patients to consult their primary care provider.

The criminal penalty section was expanded to include the sale, manufacture, or distribution of computer products created using human cells or tissues as a third-degree felony.

Added a mandatory requirement that stem cell products must contain viable or live cells upon post-thaw analysis and include a viability report sent to the physician before use.

Added specific contract requirements mandating that facilities provide detailed certification information and notify physicians within 30 days of any changes to their accreditation status.

Expanded the list of acceptable accrediting organizations for stem cell facilities to include the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies and the American Association of Tissue Banks.

Added exemptions for physicians performing therapy under employment contracts with accredited institutions and for those using FDA-approved investigational new drugs or devices.

Added a specific criminal penalty clause stating that willfully performing therapy using cells derived from aborted fetuses is a felony of the third degree.