Michigan Senate Bill SB0205

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/16/25
• Refer: 4/16/25

Caption

Health: anatomical gifts; certain private practice offices and urgent care clinics to provide information on the donor registry and donating bone marrow; allow. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding sec. 10401.

Impact

The implementation of SB 205 would considerably impact the way healthcare providers approach discussions on organ and tissue donation. By requiring physicians and urgent care facilities to promote awareness about donor registries and bone marrow donation, the bill emphasizes the importance of these life-saving measures and seeks to increase participation among young adults. This can potentially lead to increased rates of donation, addressing critical shortages in donor organs and tissues available for transplantation.

Summary

Senate Bill 205 aims to enhance the awareness and facilitation of organ and tissue donation as well as bone marrow donation among individuals aged 18 to 45. Specifically, the bill mandates that physician private practices and urgent care centers inquire whether new patients in this age range are interested in receiving information on these important health-related issues. If patients express interest, they are to be provided with educational materials regarding the organ and tissue donor registry, as well as contact information for relevant donation programs.

Contention

Despite the positive intent behind SB 205, there may be concerns regarding the approach of mandating healthcare providers to ask about donations. Critics could argue that not all patients may feel comfortable discussing such personal matters during what could be their first visit or interaction with a new medical provider. Furthermore, some may raise questions about the adequacy of the educational materials provided and whether they truly inform patients of all their options regarding anatomical gifts.