Mexico City passes law to allow surrogate mothers

MEXICO CITY – Mexico City lawmakers have approved legislation to allow women in the capital district to be surrogate mothers.

The measure is the first of its type to be passed in Mexico. It still needs to be signed by Mayor Marcelo Ebrard.

The bill approved Tuesday says surrogacy can be carried out only with the authorization of the city's Health Department. It also asks that parents first look for women related by blood to serve as surrogates, although other women can participate.

The law also says a woman can be a surrogate mother no more than twice and she can't charge for it.

Mexico City lawmaker Maricela Contreras, who promoted the initiative, says the law looks to help some of Mexico's 1.5 million couples with fertility problems.