Tennessee House Bill HB0242

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/23
• Refer: 1/21/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 32; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to anatomical gifts.

Impact

The impact of this bill on state laws will be significant as it strengthens the legal framework regarding anatomical gifts and the rights of individuals in Tennessee. It delineates the responsibilities of medical professionals when handling cases where a refusal of an anatomical gift has been clearly communicated. In cases of documented refusals, healthcare institutions are prohibited from facilitating contact with procurement organizations, thereby upholding the expressed wishes of individuals regarding their bodily autonomy after death.

Summary

House Bill 0242 aims to amend the Tennessee Code concerning anatomical gifts. The bill includes provisions for how individuals can refuse to make anatomical gifts of their bodies or parts, emphasizing the legal rights of individuals and terminal patients to refuse such gifts either through signed documentation or oral communication. This legislative change seeks to clarify the procedures relative to anatomical gifts, ensuring that refusals are appropriately documented and communicated to medical institutions involved in post-mortem processes.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around HB 0242 appears to be supportive among those advocating for the rights of individuals to make autonomous decisions regarding their bodies. Stakeholders advocating for clearer laws surrounding anatomical gifts perceive this bill as a necessary update to ensure respect for individual choices in organ donation. However, there may also be concerns from specific community groups regarding the implications that strict refusal policies could have on the availability of organs for donation.

Contention

Notable points of contention associated with HB 0242 include the balance between respecting individual wishes and the needs for organ donation to address shortages in transplantable organs. Critics might argue that strict adherence to rejection of anatomical gifts could potentially impact the supply of organs available for transplantation. Additionally, discussion may arise around the effectiveness of awareness campaigns to educate the public on the implications of refusing anatomical gifts and how these decisions are handled legally under this new framework.