S-3431 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL NO. 4455
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 49th Legislature 1986 Regular Session
By Senators Rasmussen, Conner and Granlund
Prefiled with Secretary of the Senate 12/24/85. Read first time 1/13/86 and referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.
AN ACT Relating to anatomical donations; and adding a new section to chapter 68.08 RCW.
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 general acute care 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 or if the family is a donor family. 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 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. In the event an eligible donee, as specified in RCW 68.08.520, does not exist in a region, the hospital shall contact an eligible donee in another region. Laws pertaining to the jurisdiction of the coroner shall be complied with in all cases of reportable deaths pursuant to RCW 68.08.010.