Surrogacy in DC: don’t try it. It’s best to go elsewhere and benefit from surrogacy in a friendly state.
The American Surrogacy Center says the District of Columbia is very unfriendly toward surrogacy.
TASC says the law states: “Surrogate parenting contracts are prohibited and rendered unenforceable in the District. Any person or entity who or which is involved in, or induces, arranges, or otherwise assists in the formation of a surrogate parenting contract for a fee, compensation, or other remuneration, or otherwise violates this section, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both.”
However, D.C. residents are free to travel to any state that does not legally prohibit surrogacy. In other words – the District’s unfriendliness toward surrogacy does not mean that residents there cannot benefit from surrogacy in a “friendly” state.
The District is surrounded by surrogacy friendly states. TASC reports that surrogacy is not prohibited in Virginia, West Virginia, or Maryland.
I think this is very sad. Intended Parents should not have to travel to another state to become parents. It should be a right to do it in your home state/town, not a privilidge.
This is a horrible turn of events. You should not have travel outside of your home state to establish your family. This is really sad and angering.
“I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood. That the speaking profits me, beyond any other effect.” – Audre Lorde