BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1544
By: Dawson (Ellis)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Prior to 1975, there was a shortage of viable corneas available for transplantation to patients needing to restore sight. The 64th Texas Legislature passed H.B. 307, the "Gift of Sight," which did not require that a medial examiner ask whether a relative or a descendent objected to the removal of corneal tissue. Removal was only permitted if the medical examiner was not aware of an objection. If the cause of death required an investigation by the medical examiner or justice of the peace, the removal could not interfere with an autopsy or alter the post-mortem facial appearance. Corneas remain viable for six hours after death and must be transplanted within six days of recovery. Each year, thousands of corneas are destroyed by routine autopsies when the fluid from the back of the eye is withdrawn for serological and toxicology testing. Because of these issues, the legislature enacted current law permitting medical examiners and justices of the peace to authorize that corneas be recovered prior to autopsy. There have been many instances documented where corneal tissue was recovered without the prior consent of the next of kin of the deceased.
H.B. 1544 requires express consent to donate the corneal tissue of a decedent. Under H.B 1544, corneal tissue will be included under the Anatomical Gift Act and be subjected to the same provisions that exist for the removal of other organs.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 693, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 693.006, as follows:
Sec. 693.006. REMOVAL OF CORNEAL TISSUE. Authorizes, on a request from an eye bank, the medical examiner, justice of the peace, county judge, or physician designated by the justice of the peace or county judge to permit the removal of corneal tissue subject to the same provisions that apply to removal of a visceral organ on the request of an organ procurement organization under this subchapter. Provides that the provisions of this subchapter relating to immunity and consent apply to the removal of the corneal tissue.
SECTION 2. Repealer: Subchapter B (Removal of Corneal Tissue), Chapter 693, Health and Safety Code.
SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2005.