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.