Assisted reproduction services; making certain acts unlawful; mandating reporting of fertility fraud; providing penalties; granting certain protections. Effective date.

SB 2009, the "Protecting Patients Act of 2026," makes fertility fraud a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. It defines fertility fraud as knowingly misrepresenting reproductive materials or using donor materials without consent, directly affecting fertility clinics, healthcare providers, and patients undergoing assisted reproduction (like IVF or egg donation). Key provisions require facilities to report suspected fraud to law enforcement, protect whistleblowers from retaliation, mandate permanent license revocation for healthcare providers convicted of fraud, and require sex offender registration for offenders (excluding life sentences). The bill also extends the statute of limitations for DNA-identified cases by 10 years and mandates confidentiality for victims and reporters. It becomes effective November 1, 2026.