But the Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would make surrogacy available in Utah - at least for married couples. Senate Bill 14 also aims to make this unique path to parenthood safer by imposing restrictions designed to protect the surrogate, intended parents and their babies.

"You hear about surrogates helping families who very much want children but can't, and it just touches your heart," said sponsoring Logan Republican Sen. Lyle Hillyard.

Hillyard said the Legislature must act, because a state judge struck down Utah's surrogacy law as unconstitutional.

In Utah, because surrogacy contracts are not recognized by the courts, the surrogate mother's name goes on the baby's birth certificate - requiring some parents to adopt a child born of their own genetic material.

"The sacred responsibility we have as legislators is to set public policy for this state. Our law has been declared unconstitutional, leaving a void," said Hillyard. "If we don't step forward and draw lines, the court will."

- Kirsten Stewart