SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6155

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 Passed Senate, February 7, 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: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Short, King, Hobbs, Takko, Brown, Padden, Saldaña and Keiser).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/23/18, 1/29/18 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 2/07/18, 48-0.

Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill

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

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6155 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Hobbs, Chair; Saldaña, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Chase, Cleveland, Dhingra, McCoy, O'Ban, Sheldon, Takko, Walsh, Wellman and Zeiger.

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.

DOL is required to provide a statement on a driver's license or identicard to allow an individual to certify their willingness to be an organ and tissue donor.

Summary of First Substitute Bill: DOL is required to provide each driver's license or identicard applicant with written materials regarding making a bone marrow donation and being placed on the bone marrow donor registry at the completion of their licensing transaction.

DOL, in cooperation with the NMDP and other appropriate organizations, is required to 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.

By December 1, 2019, the Department of Health and DOL must provide a report to the Legislature on the results and outcomes of the legislation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2018.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on First Substitute: PRO: This will increase public awareness and expand the number of potential bone marrow donors.  DOL has worked with us to find an efficient way to do this new activity.  This new flier through driver’s licenses is a way to reach 1.2 million new potential donors.  This will also help find more bone marrow donors for diverse populations.  This is a lifesaving bill.  This could serve as a great example for other states.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Shelly Short, Prime Sponsor; Tori Fairhurst, Be The Match, Community Engagement for Washington; Jeana Moore, citizen; Randy Yamanaka, citizen; Grace Kwizera, citizen.

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