Financial Aspects

Legislation

Federal Legislation

One of the most important federal laws and regulations that have been enacted is the Organ Donation and Recovery Improvement Act (H.R. 3926), which was signed into law on April 5, 2004. The funding for this act has been authorized but not yet appropriated.

A key provision of the legislation establishes a federal grant program to provide assistance to living donors with travel and subsistence expenses and incidental non-medical expenses incurred by individuals toward making living organ donations.

This legislation also:

• Directs the Secretary of Heath and Human Services (HHS) to establish a public education program to increase awareness about organ donation, as well as fund demonstration projects to increase organ donation and recovery rates, including living donation
• Allows the Secretary to award grants to qualified organ procurement organizations and hospitals to establish and support organ donation programs
• Directs the Secretary to support efforts to increase organ donation, improve the rate of organ recovery, and efforts to improve the preservation and transportation of organs
• Allows the Secretary to evaluate the long-term effects associated with living organ donation.

State Legislation

Some states have passed legislation that makes it easier to become a living donor by providing time off for state employees and/or tax deductions for travel expenses and time away from work.

Legislative action in other states includes:

State	Legislation
California	Former State Sen. Deborah Oritz was interested in introducing the $10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill in California.
Connecticut	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in a 2003-2004 session as HB 5144, authored by Rep. James Amann. It was reintroduced in 2005- 2006 session as HB 5232, authored by Rep. Mary Carson and in 2007-2008 session as SB 190, authored by Sen. David J. Cappiello.
Florida	Rep. Gayle Harrell and Sen. Durell Peaden were interested in introducing the bill in Florida.
Hawaii	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in 2005- 2006 session as HB 3027, authored by Rep. GlennWakai and in 2007-2008 session as SB 967, authored by Sen. David Ige and HB 1828, authored by Rep. John Mizuno. Senate Bill 967 was passed by the Hawaii State Senate on March 6, 2007.
Illinois	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was first introduced in the 2003-2004 session as HB 6806, authored by Rep. Shane Cultra, it passed the General Assembly on April 1, 2004 by a vote of 113-2. Introduced in 2005-2006 session as House Bill 4233 was authored by Rep. Shane Cultra and Senate Bill 230, authored by Sen. John Cullerton. Senate Bill 230 passed the Illinois State Senate, 55-0 on March 9, 2005. Re-introduced in 2007-2008 session as House Bill 338, authored by Rep. Shane Cultra.
Indiana	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in the 2003-2004 session as House Bill 1426, authored by Rep. David Orentlicher. Reintroduced in the 2005-2006 session as HB 1357, authored by Rep. Charles Brown, it passed the Indiana House of Representative, 94-0 on February 2, 2005 and HB 1418, authored by Rep. David Orentlicher. During the 2007-2008 session, this bill was add as a provision to Senate Bill 550, authored by Sen. Vaneta Becker. This bill passed the House of Representative on February 22, 2007 and the State Senate on March 26, 2007. The provision was removed from the bill in the conference committee.
Kansas	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in the 2007-2008 session by the Taxation Committee as HB 2362.
Kentucky	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in the 2005-2006 session as HB 435, authored by Rep. Dennis Keane, it passed the Kentucky House of Representatives-100-0 on March 1, 2006. Reintroduced in the 2007-2008 session, HB 103, authored by Rep. Keane, it passed the Kentucky House of Representatives-100-0 on February 22, 2007.
Maryland	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in the 2005-2006 session SB 443, authored by Sen. Paula Hollinger. Bill passed the Maryland House of Delegates- 137-0 on March 20, 2006.
Massachusetts	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in the 2007-2008 session as SD 1105 by Sen. Karen Spilka.
Michigan	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in the 2005-2006 session as HB 5404, authored Rep. John Gleason. Re-introduced in 2007-2008 session as SB 76, authored Sen. John Gleason.
Missouri	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in the 2005 session as SB 44, authored by Sen. Charles Wheeler. It was reintroduced in the 2006 session as SB 660, authored by Sen. Charles Wheeler, SB 668, authored by Sen. Chris Koster and SB 565, authored by Sen. John Louden.
New Jersey	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in the 2006-2007 session as A261, authored by Rep. Upendra Chivukula and S 1334, authored by Sen. Ellen Karcher.
North Carolina	Rep. Carolyn K. Justus was interested in introducing the 10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction billl in North Carolina.
Oregon	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in the 2005-2006 session as HB 2692-authored by Rep. Steve March.
Pennsylvania	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in the 2004-2005 session as SB 1103, authored by Sen. Hal Mowery.
Rhode Island	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in the 2004-2005 session as S2220, authored by Sen. Leo Blais. It was re-introduced in the 2005-2006 session as HR 6981, authored by Rep. Elizabeth Dennigan.
South Carolina	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in the 2004-2005 session as HB 5085, authored by Rep. Bill Cotty. House Bill 5085 was passed both the House and the Senate, but was vetoed by the Governor because a Senate amendment on June 3, 2004. It was reintroduced in the 2005-2006 session as HB 4055, authored by Rep. Bill Cotty.
Texas	Rep. Carlos Uresti was interested in introducing the $10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill in Texas.
Vermont	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction was introduced in the 2005-2006 session as H23, authored by Rep. Keogh.
Washington	The Life Center Northwest transplant center is working to find a legislative sponsor for the $10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill in Washington.
West Virginia	$10,000 Organ Donation Tax Deduction bill was introduced in the 2007-2008 session as HB 3259 authored by Del. Ron Fragale.

For listing additions or changes, please contact us.

Reference and Publication Information

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The content on this page was originally created on February 25, 2005 by the United Network for Organ Sharing and last modified on August 20, 2008.

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