S-1339.1  _______________________________________________

 

                         SENATE BILL 5828

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

 

By Senators B. Sheldon, Snyder, Franklin, Bauer, Rasmussen, Patterson, Fairley, Kohl‑Welles, McAuliffe, Fraser, Prentice, Thibaudeau, Jacobsen, T. Sheldon and Spanel

 

Read first time 02/11/1999.  Referred to Committee on State & Local Government.

Presenting a gift of life award.


    AN ACT Relating to the Washington gift of life award; amending RCW 1.50.005, 1.50.030, and 1.50.040; and repealing RCW 1.50.020.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    Sec. 1.  RCW 1.50.005 and 1998 c 59 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    The legislature finds that persons who donate organs help save the lives and promote the well-being of others in a manner that demonstrates the noblest side of human nature.  Many families and friends of both the donors and the donees may want to remember the special act of donation in a way that honors the memory of the donor and encourages donation by others in the future.

    To recognize the special kindness of those who donate their organs, the legislature establishes the Washington gift of life ((medal)) award.

 

    Sec. 2.  RCW 1.50.030 and 1998 c 59 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

    (((1))) The governor's office shall ((award a)) present the Washington gift of life ((medal)) award to ((all)) six eligible families or persons per year under the following ((conditions)):

    (((a))) (1) The organ procurement organization shall ((determine whether the)) nominate the six individuals or persons ((requesting the medal is)) eligible under this section ((to receive the medal described in RCW 1.50.040)) to represent all those who have donated organs and shall submit documentation supporting the eligibility of the individual or person to the governor's office.  If more than one organ procurement organization is involved, they shall coordinate in harmony to designate by consensus the organ procurement organization among them to have primary administrative responsibility under this chapter.

    (((b))) (2) The governor's office shall ((award the medal and direct the primary organ procurement organization to arrange for the presentation to a family or person who requested a medal under this section and who has been determined by the organ procurement organization to be eligible to receive a medal under this section.

    (2)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection and subsection (3) of this section,)) present the awards on an annual basis in coordination with the organ procurement organization.  Only one medal may be presented to the family of an organ donor.

    (((b) In the case of a family in which more than one member is an organ donor, the governor shall award and the primary organ procurement organization shall present an additional medal on behalf of each organ donor to his or her eligible family.

    (3)(a) Duplicate medals may be purchased by the family or person eligible to receive the medal.  The price of the duplicate medal shall be sufficient to cover its cost.

    (b) Anyone not eligible to receive a medal under this chapter may request from the eligible family or person permission to purchase duplicate medals.  The family's or person's decision to grant or withhold permission shall be in writing and shall be final.  The family's or person's decision shall be honored by the governor.))

 

    Sec. 3.  RCW 1.50.040 and 1998 c 59 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

    The Washington gift of life ((medal shall be of bronze and)) award shall consist of the seal of the state of Washington((, surrounded by a raised laurel wreath and suspended from a ring attached by a dark green ribbon.  The reverse of the decoration within the raised laurel wreath shall)) and be inscribed with the words:  "For the greatest act of kindness in donating organs to enhance the lives of others."

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.  RCW 1.50.020 (Application for medal) and 1998 c 59 s 3 are each repealed.

 


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