SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2557

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of February 19, 2018

Title: An act relating to bone marrow donation.

Brief Description: Concerning bone marrow donation information provided to driver's license and identicard applicants.

Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Maycumber, Lovick, Graves, Volz, DeBolt, Stambaugh, Chandler, Cody, Caldier, Fitzgibbon, Senn, Muri, Kretz, Ryu, Smith, Dent, Slatter, Eslick, Stanford, Doglio, Ormsby, Steele, Macri, Riccelli and Young).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/08/18, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/19/18.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires the Department of Licensing (DOL) to provide each driver's license or identicard applicant with written materials regarding bone marrow donation.

  • Requires the Department of Health (DOH) to report to the Legislature the results of the efforts to increase public awareness of bone marrow donation and the number of individuals being placed on the bone marrow donation registry from Washington.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff: Bryon Moore (786-7726)

Background: Bone marrow donation is a method of collecting blood forming cells for bone marrow transplants. Bone marrow donation is sometimes used in the treatment of life-threatening disorders such as leukemia, aplastic anemia, as well as certain immune system and metabolic disorders. The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986 that operates the Be the Match Registry for potential bone marrow donation. Other organizations exist that help identify potential bone marrow donors and promote bone marrow donation.

DOH was required to establish a bone marrow donor recruitment and education program to educate residents about:

DOH must make a special effort to educate and recruit residents from minority populations to volunteer as potential bone marrow donors. DOH, in conjunction with DOL, must make educational materials available at all places where driver's licenses are issued or renewed. Minors are not disqualified from bone marrow donation.

DOL must provide an opportunity for a driver's license or identicard applicant to certify their willingness to be an organ and tissue donor.

Summary of Bill: DOL must provide each driver's license or identicard applicant with written materials regarding making a bone marrow donation and how to be placed on the bone marrow donor registry at the completion of their licensing transaction. DOL, in cooperation with the NMDP and other appropriate organizations, must place signage in each of the licensing service offices that provide background on the written materials that the applicant will receive regarding bone marrow donation.

No organization or third party may utilize the information for fund-raising or other commercial purposes.

DOH and DOL must provide a report to the Legislature on the results and outcomes of the legislation by December 1, 2019.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The expansion of potential bone marrow donors will save lives. Some ethnicities are significantly underrepresented in the national bone marrow registry. This bill takes a step toward addressing that problem.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Jacquelin Maycumber, Prime Sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.