SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5404

                    As of February 6, 1997

Title:  An act relating to anatomical gifts.

Brief Description:  Regulating organ donation.

Sponsors:  Senators Morton, Rossi, Long, Oke, Hochstatter, Schow, Hargrove, Benton, Stevens and Swecker.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  2/7/97.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Staff:  Rhoda Jones (786-7198)

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 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.

An individual may refuse to make an anatomical gift in the same manner and this too is designated on the individual=s driver=s license.  Regardless of the method in which organ donation is provided for, consent of next-of-kin is required for the donation to occur.

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.  Proximity of the recipient, blood type and genetic characteristics determine where the organ or tissue will go.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Licensing is authorized to provide anatomical gift statements to the public which include two options:  that the individual offer the anatomical gift without limitation, or that the donor wishes the gift go only to persons not convicted of a crime and currently serving time in a jail or prison or on parole. 

Any individual who is 18 or older, or 16 with parental consent, may refuse to make an anatomical gift to a person convicted of a crime and currently serving time in jail or prison or on parole.

Anyone who is currently a donor may amend his or her donation deny it to a person convicted of a crime and currently serving time in jail or prison or on parole.   

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 6, 1997.

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