(a) (1) All research projects involving the derivation or use of human embryonic stem cells shall be reviewed and approved by a stem cell research oversight committee prior to being undertaken. Any stem cell research oversight committee shall, in its review of human embryonic stem cell research projects, consider and apply the guidelines developed by the department pursuant to Section 125118. A stem cell research oversight committee may require modifications to the plan or design of a proposed human embryonic stem cell research project as a condition of approving the research project.

(2) A stem cell research oversight committee for purposes of this article shall be established substantially in accordance with Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research issued by the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies in 2005. This committee shall be established in accordance with standards issued by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) as authorized by Article XXXV of the California Constitution. The intent of the Legislature is to avoid inconsistencies for stem cell research oversight committees established pursuant to this article with other existing standards for research conducted in California.

(b) Not less than once per year, a stem cell research oversight committee shall conduct continuing review of human embryonic stem cell research projects reviewed and approved under this section in order to ensure that the research continues to meet the standards for stem cell research oversight committee approval. Pursuant to its review in accordance with this subdivision, a stem cell research oversight committee may revoke its prior approval of research under this section and require modifications to the plan or design of a continuing research project before permitting the research to continue.

(c) A stem cell research oversight committee may provide scientific and ethical review of research consistent with this article.

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 483, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2007.)