Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Health Care & Wellness Committee
SSB 5179
Brief Description: Concerning blood donation.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Liias, Rivers, Das, Randall and Wilson, C.).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Authorizes a person between the ages of 16 and 17 years old to donate blood, including donation through apheresis, in any voluntary and noncompensatory blood program with permission from the person's parent or legal guardian.
  • Specifies that the provision authorizing a person 18 years of age or older to donate blood includes donation through apheresis.
Hearing Date: 3/15/21
Staff: Corey Patton (786-7388).
Background:

A person 18 years of age or older may donate blood in any voluntary and noncompensatory blood program without parental permission or authorization.

 

Apheresis is a process where blood is drawn from a donor and specific components, such as platelets, double red cells, or plasma, are separated for donation.  Only the components being donated are collected and the remaining components are returned to the donor.
Summary of Substitute Bill:

A person 18 years of age or older may donate blood, including donation through apheresis, in any voluntary and noncompensatory blood program without parental permission or authorization.  A person between the ages of 16 and 17 years old may donate blood, including donation through apheresis, in any voluntary and noncompensatory blood program with permission from the person's parent or legal guardian.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.