BILL REQ. #:  S-0697.1 

Read first time 01/24/11.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to establishing a work group to increase organ donation in Washington state; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that organ donation from deceased persons saves lives and reduces suffering for recipients of all ages. The legislature further finds that waiting lists for healthy organs continue to grow, creating an urgent need for increasing organ donation in the state.
     (2) 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 shall consider all strategies that have been shown to support and promote organ donation including, but not limited to, donor designation registries, presumed consent, opt-in and opt-out policies, professional education, and public education. All costs associated with this work group will be covered by private donations from interested parties. No state funds may be used to fund the work group.
     (3) The work group must include one representative each from at least two designated organ procurement organizations, a transplant center, the Washington medical association, the Washington hospital association, a licensed eye bank, a licensed tissue bank, and a research institution.
     (4) The work group is directed to report to the legislature by December 30, 2011, with recommendations for increasing organ donations in Washington state.