Organ Donation Bill Advances To House Floor

Lawmakers have voted to standardize Oklahoma law on organ donation so it mirrors other state laws across the country and increases the likelihood citizens’ lives will be saved through transplants.

Senate Bill 622, by Senator Glenn Coffee and Rep. Doug Cox, creates the “Uniform Anatomical Gift Act.”

Cox, an emergency room physician, said the bill will bring Oklahoma law into line with other state laws on organ donation, effectively streamlining national policy to increase efficiency.

“These situations are a bit morbid and people don’t like to think about them, but organ sharing is crucial to the survival of many citizens,” said Cox, R-Grove. “There’s no greater gift that someone who has passed away can give to those left behind than to save their life, restore their sight, or improve their quality of life.”

While most people are familiar with the success of heart and kidney transplants, Cox said medical advances now allow the use of a wide range other organs such as the eye, bone, or even tendons for knee reconstruction surgery.

“Hopefully, this will serve as a reminder for people to think about becoming donors,” Cox said. “If people make their intentions clear, it can prevent legal delays in the future and unnecessary stress on family members who must determine their loved one’s intent after the fact.”

Cox said the practices codified by Senate Bill 622 are already being employed in Oklahoma. However, the legislation will ensure those practices will withstand any potential legal challenge.

The bill also specifies that the Medical Examiner’s Office has the right to examine any body before organ donations are made in cases where foul play is suspected.

“Oklahoma law first addressed organ donations in the 1960s and those laws have been amended 30 or 40 times since then,” Cox said. “Senate Bill 622 just pulls everything together in one act and brings Oklahoma into uniformity with other states.”

The bill passed the House Public Health Committee. It now proceeds to the floor of the House of Representatives. The bill has already passed the state Senate on a 47-0 vote.

Share |