SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5386
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 Reported by Senate Committee On:
Health & Long-Term Care, February 10, 2011
Title: An act relating to establishing a work group to increase organ donation in Washington state.
Brief Description: Creating an organ donation work group.
Sponsors: Senator Pridemore.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/03/11, 2/10/11 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5386 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Conway, Vice Chair; Becker, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Kline, Murray, Parlette, Pflug and Pridemore.
Staff: Rhoda Donkin (786-7465)
Background: Washington's Uniform Anatomical Gift Act permits a person to donate all or part of his or her body to another person, hospital, procurement organization, research institution, and other entities for transplantation, research, or the advancement of science. An organ donor may indicate his or her intent to donate by signing a document of gift. This may be a driver's license or a donor card.
Approximately 90,000 people are on the national transplant waiting list; 1200 of these are listed at the Washington State transplant centers. There is ongoing interest in improving the state's system for organ donation as the need for organs continues to grow.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): A work group is created to study how other states and countries have developed sustainable programs for increasing organ donation in their communities. The work group will consider all current strategies and include representatives from designated organ procurement organizations, funeral directors, a transplant center, the Washington Medical Association, the Washington Hospital Association, a licensed eye bank, a tissue band, and a research organization. The work group will use no state funds and report to the Legislature by December 30, 2011, with recommendations for increasing organ donations in Washington State.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): A representative of the Funeral Directors Association is added to the work group.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: This will allow for all interested parties to participate in an effort to have a sustainable organ donation program in our state.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Pridemore, prime sponsor; Kevin O'Connoer, Life Center Northwest; Mike Seely, Pacific NW Transplant Bank.