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SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 4455
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AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
C 129 L 86
State of Washington 49th Legislature 1986 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Conner and Granlund)
Read first time 2/3/86.
AN ACT Relating to anatomical donations; adding a new section to chapter 68.08 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 68.08 RCW to read as follows:
Each hospital shall develop procedures for identifying potential organ and tissue donors. The procedures shall require that any deceased individual's next of kin or other individual, as set forth in RCW 68.08.510, at or near the time of notification of death be asked whether the deceased was an organ donor. If not, the family shall be informed of the option to donate organs and tissues pursuant to the uniform anatomical gift act. With the approval of the designated next of kin or other individual, as set forth in RCW 68.08.510, the hospital shall then notify an established eye bank, tissue bank, or organ procurement agency including those organ procurement agencies associated with a national organ procurement transportation network or other eligible donee, as specified in RCW 68.08.520, and cooperate in the procurement of the anatomical gift or gifts. The procedures shall encourage reasonable discretion and sensitivity to the family circumstances in all discussions regarding donations of tissue or organs. The procedures may take into account the deceased individual's religious beliefs or obvious nonsuitability for organ and tissue donation. Laws pertaining to the jurisdiction of the coroner shall be complied with in all cases of reportable deaths pursuant to RCW 68.08.010.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. No act or omission of a hospital in developing or implementing the provisions of section 1 of this act, when performed in good faith, shall be a basis for the imposition of any liability upon the hospital.
This section shall not apply to any act or omission of the hospital that constitutes gross negligence or wilful and wanton conduct.