BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1500

80R10183 JLL-D                                                                                                           By: Zaffirini

Health & Human Services

4/10/2007

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, the Texas organ donation registry program is titled the "Donation, Education, Awareness, and Registry Program" (DEAR Program).

As proposed, S.B. 1500 renames the registry as the Glenda Dawson Donate Life-Texas Registry, in memory of Representative Glenda Dawson, and enables it to become an affiliate of the national Donate Life America Alliance and Campaign.  The established brand equity of the campaign would increase awareness of organ donation among Texans.  The program increases the likelihood that individuals who move to Texas from other states will be more familiar with the registry program.  Since all three of the major organ procurement organizations use Donate Life America promotional materials, the bill would also enable better coordination with these organizations.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 49, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 49.0011, as follows:

Sec. 49.0011.  GLENDA DAWSON DONATE LIFE-TEXAS REGISTRY; PROMOTION OF REGISTRY.  (a)  Requires any program or program component that the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) develops under this chapter to be known as the Glenda Dawson Donate Life-Texas Registry.

(b)  Requires DSHS to affiliate with any entity, including a national or state association concerned with organ donation, to promote the registry in accordance with this section.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.