DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 577 Engrossed 2018 Regular Session Leger
Abstract: Provides for vital record disclosure to a representative of an organ procurement
organization.
Proposed law requires that the state registrar issue a certified copy of a death certificate to a
representative of an organ procurement organization designated for the state of Louisiana by the
United States Department of Health and Human Services. The death certificate shall be issued if the
organ procurement organization presents documentation of a donor's anatomical gift defined in
present law (R.S. 17:2351) for the purpose of documenting donor eligibility in accord with the
United States Food and Drug Administration regulations and industry standards.
Proposed law requires a written request from the organ procurement organization and that it be
transmitted by telefax, electronic delivery, or by United States mail.
Proposed law further requires that an organ procurement organization's written request contain all
of the following:
(1) The organization's name and citation to the United States Department of Health and
Human Services website or correspondence evidencing its designation as an organ
procurement organization for the state.
(2) The donor's name.
(3) The donor's date of birth.
(4) The donor's date of death.
(5) The requestor's name.
(6) The requestor's telephone number.
(7) The requestor's date of request.
(8) A request that the certified copy be transmitted by telefax, electronic delivery, or by
United States mail.
Proposed law provides that the organ procurement organization's written request, together with the
documentation of a donor's anatomical gift, is sufficient proof for the release of the death certificate.
Proposed law requires that if the organ procurement organization's requested form of transmittal is
by telefax or electronic delivery, the death certificate shall be accompanied by the state registrar's
verification that the death certificate is a duplicate of the original, the date the copy of the death
certificate was issued by the state registrar's representative, along with his signature and title. (Adds R.S. 40:41(L))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill:
1. Add that the organ procurement organizations shall transmit their written request by
telefax, electronic delivery, or by United States mail.
2. Add the information required for the written request by an organ procurement
organization contain the following:
(a) The organization's name and citation to the United States Department of Health
and Human Services website or correspondence evidencing its designation as an
organ procurement organization for the state.
(b) The donor's name.
(c) The donor's date of birth.
(d) The donor's date of death.
(e) The requestor's name.
(f) The requestor's telephone number.
(g) The requestor's date of request.
(h) A request that the certified copy be transmitted by telefax, electronic delivery, or
by United States mail.
3. Add that the organ procurement organization's written request, together with the
documentation of a donor's anatomical gift, is sufficient proof for the release of the death
certificate.
4. Add that if the organ procurement organization's requested form of transmittal is by
telefax or electronic delivery, the death certificate shall be accompanied by the state
registrar's verification that the death certificate is a duplicate of the original, the date the
copy of the death certificate was issued by the state registrar's representative, along with
his signature and title.