READ FIRST TIME 02/03/06.   

     AN ACT Relating to organ and tissue donor education and awareness; amending RCW 46.82.420; adding a new section to chapter 28A.230 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the use of anatomical gifts, including the donation of organ or tissue, for the purpose of transplantation is of great interest to the citizens of Washington state and may save or prolong the life or improve the health of extremely ill and dying persons. The legislature further finds that more than ninety thousand people are currently waiting for life-saving organ transplants on the national transplant waiting list. More than one thousand two hundred of these people are listed at Washington state transplant centers. Nationally, eighteen people die each day as a result of the shortage of donated organs.
     The legislature further finds that continuing education as to the existence and maintenance of a statewide organ and tissue donor registry is in the best interest of the people of the state of Washington.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.230 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Organ donation awareness shall be taught in the public schools of this state in driver training courses. Organ donation education shall include instruction explaining the organ and tissue donor registry created in RCW 68.50.635.
     (2) Instructional materials shall be developed in coordination with the federally designated organ procurement organization for Washington state.
     (3) All costs associated with the development, distribution, and implementation of this curriculum shall be the responsibility of the foundation established in RCW 46.12.510.
     (4) At least fourteen days before teaching organ donation awareness, each school district shall notify parents or guardians of the presentation, that the curricula materials are available for inspection, and that parents or guardians may request in writing that their students be excused from the instruction. No student may be required to participate in organ donation awareness instruction if the student's parent or guardian requests in writing that the student be excused from such instruction, and the student shall not be academically penalized due to being excused.

Sec. 3   RCW 46.82.420 and 2004 c 126 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The advisory committee shall compile and furnish to each qualifying applicant for an instructor's license or a driver training school license a basic minimum required curriculum.
     (2) The basic minimum required curriculum shall also include (((1))):
     (a) Information on the effects of alcohol and drug use on motor vehicle operators, including information on drug and alcohol related traffic injury and mortality rates in the state of Washington;
     (((2))) (b) Current penalties for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
     (c) Organ donation awareness education, including instruction explaining the organ and tissue donor registry created in RCW 68.50.635. Instructional materials regarding organ donation awareness shall be developed in coordination with the federally designated organ procurement organization for Washington state, and instruction shall be provided by a qualified instructor. All costs associated with the development, distribution, and implementation of this curriculum shall be the responsibility of the foundation established in RCW 46.12.510 with no additional charge to students; and
     (((3))) (d) Information on motorcycle awareness, approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, to ensure new operators of motor vehicles have been instructed in the importance of safely sharing the road with motorcyclists.
     (3) Should the director be presented with acceptable proof that any licensed instructor or driver training school is not showing proper diligence in teaching such basic minimum curriculum as required, the instructor or school shall be required to appear before the advisory committee and show cause why the license of the instructor or school should not be revoked for such negligence. If the committee does not accept such reasons as may be offered, the director may revoke the license of the instructor or school, or both.