FINAL BILL REPORT
SB 5065
C 219 L 23
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Encouraging public school instruction in awareness of bone marrow donation.
Sponsors: Senators Short, Wellman, Lovick and Valdez.
Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education
House Committee on Education
Background:

Bone Marrow Donation.  The Washington State Department of Health has a bone marrow donor recruitment and education program to educate residents about:

  • the need for bone marrow donors;
  • the procedures required to become a registered donor;
  • the procedures for donation; and
  • the ability to obtain this information when applying or renewing a driver license or identicard.

 
State law provides that a person's status as a minor may not disqualify them from bone marrow donation.
 
The National Marrow Donor Program manages a registry of unrelated bone marrow donors.
 
Health Graduation Requirement.  The State Board of Education establishes graduation requirements.  One half credit of health is required for graduation. 

Summary:

School districts, charter schools, and state-tribal compact schools that serve students in any of the grades 9 through 12 are encouraged to offer instruction in awareness of bone marrow donation to students.  Beginning with the 2023-24 school year, instruction in awareness of bone marrow donation may be included in at least one health class necessary for graduation.
 
This instruction must be an instructional program provided by the National Marrow Donor Program or other relevant nationally recognized organizations.  The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction must post a link on its website to this instructional program.
 
School districts, charter schools, and state-tribal compact schools that serve students in any of the grades K through 8 may offer this instruction and adapt it to be age-appropriate. 
 
These schools may offer this instruction directly or arrange for the instruction to be provided by available community-based providers.  The instruction does not have to be provided by certificated instructional staff.

Votes on Final Passage:
Senate 48 0
House 95 2 (House amended)
Senate 47 0 (Senate concurred)
Effective:

July 23, 2023