Connecticut Senate Bill SB00333

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/21
• Refer: 1/25/21

Caption

An Act Concerning The Prevention Of Discrimination Against Persons With An Intellectual Or Developmental Disability Seeking To Receive An Organ Transplant.

Impact

If enacted, SB00333 would amend existing statutes to protect individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from being discriminated against during organ transplantation evaluations and procedures. This means that healthcare providers and organ transplant organizations would be legally obligated to consider such individuals for organ transplants without bias based on their disabilities. This is crucial for enhancing the rights and dignities of people with disabilities and ensuring they have the same access to life-saving medical procedures as other patients.

Summary

SB00333 aims to prohibit discrimination against individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are seeking to become recipients of organ transplants. This legislation is intended to create a more equitable healthcare system by ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their disabilities, are afforded equal opportunities in the organ transplantation process. This is a significant step toward advancing disability rights and promoting inclusivity within medical practices.

Contention

While proponents of SB00333 laud it as a vital protective measure for vulnerable populations, some concerns have been raised regarding the practical implications of its enforcement. Critics may question how discrimination is defined within the context of organ transplant evaluations, and whether the law could unintentionally impose additional burdens on medical professionals tasked with making complex medical decisions. There could also be concerns about the potential for conflicting interpretations of the definition of disability and what constitutes discrimination in a medical context.