(a) Options.--All health care providers providing health care services to a pregnant woman by the end of the second trimester (28th week), which health care services are directly related to her pregnancy, shall advise her of options to donate umbilical cord blood following the delivery of a newborn child, by providing standardized objective information about cord blood banking that is sufficient to allow a pregnant woman to make an informed decision on whether to participate in a public or private umbilical cord blood banking program. This shall include information on the free family banking and sibling donor programs where there is an existing medical need by a family member. Provision in a timely manner of publications prepared by the department pursuant to section 5¹ shall constitute compliance with this subsection.

(b) Exemption.--Nothing in this section imposes an obligation upon a health care provider to inform a pregnant woman regarding her umbilical cord blood banking options if such information conflicts with bona fide religious beliefs of the health care provider.