Synopsis:

H.B. 21 was signed into law by Gov. John Carney on Sept. 13, 2017.

H.B. 21 prohibits the denial of a referral, evaluation or recommendation of an organ transplant based solely on a patient’s disability if the disability does not significantly affect the outcome of the procedure. The bill, modeled after similar legislation in California and New Jersey, also prevents inconsistencies in organ recipient selection criteria that resulted in some medical centers using disability as a factor in organ transplant decisions.

Supporters:

Reps. Debra Heffernan (D), Melanie Smith (D); Sens. Nicole Poore (D), Harris McDowell (D); the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), the Disability Law Center, the National Down Syndrome Society, the 321 Foundation, et al.

Opponents:

Transplant centers, namely the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network managed by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

Links to Additional Resources: