FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 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.

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

House Committee on Health Care & Wellness

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: 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.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	46	0
House	94	0