BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 545 By: Rosson (Naishtat) 05-09-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Current law permits only persons 17 years of age or older to donate blood. Many communities in the state lack adequate blood supplies and depend on high school blood drives. Lowering the age of donors would increase blood supplies in these communities. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 545 authorizes a person 16 years of age or older to donate blood or blood components. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 162.015, Health and Safety Code, as follows: Sec. 162.015. New heading: DONATION OF BLOOD BY MINORS. Allows a person 16 years of age or older, instead of 17 years of age, to consent to the donation of the person's blood or blood components. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION S.B. 545 was considered by the Public Health Committee in a public hearing on May 9, 1995. The following persons testified in favor of the bill: Representative Naishtat, author of the bill. Sam V. Stone, representing self and Texas Blood Bank Assn. The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote of 5 AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 PNV, and 4 ABSENT.