HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5179
As Passed House:
March 24, 2021
Title: An act relating to blood donation.
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 History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 3/15/21, 3/17/21 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/24/21, 98-0.
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.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 14 members:Representatives Cody, Chair; Bateman, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bronoske, Davis, Harris, Macri, Maycumber, Riccelli, Simmons, Stonier, Tharinger and Ybarra.
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 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.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Encouraging people to donate blood at a young age inspires them to become lifelong donors.  There has been a large decline in the number of donors in Washington over the last decade, so it is crucial to engage young people and build a new base of regular donors.  Allowing young people to donate platelets through apheresis is important because platelets have a relatively short shelf life compared to whole blood.  Blood donation is a vital, life-saving activity that makes a big difference to the donor's community by ensuring a safe blood supply level for local hospitals.  The free cookies and snacks donors receive are a huge plus. 


(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Carson Price, Seattle University; Randall Young, Bloodworks Northwest; Grace Griffin; and Jordan Camp-Thomas.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.