HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2445

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to the Washington state organ donor medal.

Brief Description:  Establishing the Washington state organ donor medal.

Sponsors:  Representatives Zellinsky, Chandler, Carrell, Lambert, O'Brien, Smith, Lisk, Dyer, Honeyford, Huff, Clements, Cooke, McDonald and Mulliken.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/3/98 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Dyer, Chairman; Backlund, Vice Chairman; Skinner, Vice Chairman; Cody, Ranking Minority Member; Murray, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson; Conway; Parlette; Sherstad; Wood and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Antonio Sanchez (786-7383).

Background:  By state law, anyone over age 18, or over age 16 with parental consent, may make an anatomical gift, limit an anatomical gift to one or more purposes, or refuse to make an anatomical gift.  This is to be done by signing a "document of gift" which is then designated on the individual=s driver=s license.  Revocation, suspension, expiration or cancellation of the license does not invalidate the anatomical gift.

Organ donations are matched with needy recipients through a genetic matching system set- up in a computer registry known as the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

There is one organization in Washington state which is responsible for procuring organs from a four-state region and matching them with genetically acceptable individuals.

An award for organ donation is not currently in statute.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Office of the Secretary of State is authorized to award a Washington State Organ Donar Medal to persons who are determined to be eligible to receive the medal.  Criteria are established for determining the eligibility of organ donors to receive this medal and a specific process is outlined for the distribution of the organ donor medals. 

The Washington State Organ Donor Medal will be bronze and must consist of the seal of the state of Washington surrounded by a raised laurel wreath.  It will be suspended from a ring attached by a dark green ribbon.  The inscription on the back of the medal will read AFor the greatest act of kindness in donating organs to enhance the lives of others.@

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The duties and responsibilities for this award are transferred from the Office of the Governor to the Office of the Secretary of State.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.