Rep. Cohn files bill in North Carolina House to protect assisted reproductive technology access

A new bill filed by State Rep. Bryan Cohn in the North Carolina House seeks to protect access to assisted reproductive technology and enhance maternal support services funding, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 473 on March 20 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Right to IVF.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill establishes and protects the right to access assisted reproductive technology in North Carolina, ensuring that neither the state nor its political subdivisions can prohibit or interfere with patients and health care providers in accessing, offering, or performing such technology. It clarifies that fertilized human eggs or embryos outside the uterus are not considered human beings under state law. Additionally, effective July 1, 2025, the bill allocates $500,000 in recurring funds annually from the General Fund to increase Medicaid maternal support services funding. This state funding will match $913,000 in recurring federal funds for the 2025-27 fiscal biennium to support the Baby Love Program.

A related bill, SB 383, was also filed in the North Carolina Senate, introduced by Sen. Woodson Bradley (and two others) on March 20, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Lindsey Prather proposed the most bills (13) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Cohn, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 32nd House district, replacing previous state representative Frank Sossamon.