Texas lawmakers push to curb commercial surrogacy, sparking backlash from families

Texas is preparing legislation aimed at restricting commercial surrogacy, with proposals to bar foreign nationals from accessing Texas surrogates and IVF services, a stance reinforced by anti-abortion groups. The issue gained urgency after Alaskan surrogate McKenna West fled to Dallas to seek custody of the child she carried, accusing the intended parents of forcing an abortion—a claim they deny—while Attorney General Ken Paxton stepped in on her behalf.

Critics such as Kirstin Wallace of the Center for Bioethics & Culture Network contend that surrogacy contracts exploit women, yet surrogates and parents emphasize that the practice, responsible for 657 births in 2025, remains a crucial option for infertile couples. They propose refining laws to clarify rights, ensure agency best practices, and provide independent legal counsel instead of banning the arrangement. Personal accounts from Dallas surrogate Ronda Young, Dallas mother Angie Koriakos, and cancer survivor Katie Blackwood illustrate both the emotional significance and potential obstacles if restrictions tighten. The legislative outcome will shape Texas’s role as a surrogacy hub for U.S. and international families.