First Review of Artificial Reproduction Bill: Surrogacy Provisions Officially Decoupled

(CNA reporter Tseng I-Ning, Taipei, June 16) The Legislative Yuan's Committee on Social Welfare and Health Environment held the first review today of the draft amendment to the 'Artificial Reproduction Act.' A proposal by DPP legislators to review only the version not involving surrogacy was approved by vote. However, the Taiwan People's Party caucus subsequently arrived to protest. Chairperson Lin Yueh-chin of the DPP announced the meeting would continue, emphasizing adherence to parliamentary rules.

The Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Health Environment Committee and the Judiciary and Legal Affairs Committee convened a joint session today to review the draft amendment to the 'Artificial Reproduction Act.' Prior to the meeting, Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chong-liang told reporters he hoped to first revise the least controversial parts of the Artificial Reproduction Act, enabling families who wish to have children to fulfill their dreams.

During the session, objections were raised by TPP legislators Chen Chao-tzu and Chiu Hui-ju. After a vote, the proposal passed with seven in favor—Wang Cheng-hsu, Lin Shu-fen, Fan Yun, Huang Hsiu-huang, Chang Ya-lin, Chuang Jui-hsiung, and Shen Fa-hui of the DPP—and two opposed—Chen and Chiu. No KMT legislators participated in the vote.

Before the review began, DPP legislators Lin Shu-fen, Wang Cheng-hsu, Chuang Jui-hsiung, Fan Yun, Huang Hsiu-huang, Liu Chien-kuo, Chang Ya-lin, and Yang Yao jointly proposed an agenda change. Citing that surrogacy involves a third party’s right to health and that social dialogue and consensus are still pending, they recommended that today’s meeting proceed with reviewing only the non-surrogacy-related version.

During procedural remarks, Chen Chao-tzu stated she understood public concerns about surrogacy but emphasized that her proposed amendment included multiple safeguards—strict medical oversight, equal legal status, prioritization of surrogate mothers’ interests, and statutory parental rights—to protect both surrogate mothers and children under strict regulation and full autonomy.

DPP legislator Lin Shu-fen said the push for decoupling stemmed from broad consensus and expressed hope to provide opportunities for lesbian couples and single women. Regarding surrogacy, she cited a UN report indicating that surrogacy has characteristics of violating women’s and children’s rights and recommended that all member states prohibit or abolish surrogacy systems. If the TPP believes surrogacy can gain societal support, she suggested putting the issue to a public referendum.

Subsequently, Chen Ching-lung, caucus leader of the Taiwan People's Party, led party members to the scene, holding signs reading 'DPP castrates surrogacy bill' and shouting 'DPP confiscates the rights of infertile families.' In response, DPP legislators Huang Chieh, Lin Shu-fen, and Fan Yun shouted back, 'TPP is commodifying women’s wombs,' 'TPP is selling out all women in Taiwan,' and 'TPP is selling women’s bodies.'

The scene briefly turned chaotic. Meeting convener and DPP legislator Lin Yueh-chin announced a recess, resuming the meeting about ten minutes later to continue reviewing the bill. Lin stated that all legislators had been fully granted rights to speak, propose, and vote during the meeting, but democratic procedures require not only free expression but also acceptance of outcomes. After full expression of opinions, parliamentary rules must be followed, and the committee’s legally established majority decision must be respected. (Edited by Su Lung-chi) 1150716

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