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Minutes for HB2472 - Committee on Health and Human Services

Short Title

Relating to organ donation, amending the uniform anatomical gift act.

Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 23, 2018

The Chairperson opened the hearing on HB2472

Eileen Ma, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, briefed the committee that HB2472 amends the practice by which an individual makes his wishes known concerning  becoming an organ donor.  This bill would require a driver's license application to include a question asking if the applicant would be willing to donate all or any part of his body in accordance with the anatomical gift act.

Representative Tom Sloan District 86, introduced Elliott Whisenant, a student, who was appearing before the committee as a proponent.

Proponents:

Elliott Whisenant, a student at Free State High School in Lawrence Kansas, appeared as a proponent for this bill because it would make being an organ donor simpler and that would help alleviate the major problem of donor shortage.  He said by implementing small, smart changes in state regulation, Kansas can save lives, generate tax income, reduce the size of the government, and create a positive influence for other states to follow Kansas' lead. (Attachment 1).

Colleen Jamison, a citizen of Kansas, spoke to the committee about the importance of organ donation.  She introduced her husband, Alonzo Jamison, who received a kidney transplant in 2017.  She said it is obvious that the need for donors is staggering, and by making it easier for people to make their organ donation wishes known, this bill wiould not only save money, but more importantly, save lives.(Attachment 2).

Opponents:

No opponents appeared before the committee.

Neutral:

No one appeared as a neutral conferee.

After all questions were answered, the Chairperson closed the hearing on HB2472.