The Georgia Senate has signed off on a bill by Rep. James Mills, R-Chesnut Mountain, that would provide legal protection to families who use donated embryos to have a child.

The "Option of Adoption Act" is designed to prevent an embryo donor from later claiming the child born from that embryo to another family. The bill provides a legal framework for the donor to relinquish rights prior to the embryo transfer. Supporters said it would clear the way for the adoption of more unused embryos by protecting families from future litigation.

The bill passed the Senate 45-9 Wednesday. There were minor changes to the version that cleared the House.