AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 50; Title 56 and Title 68, relative to living organ donation.
The provisions of SB0579 signify a progressive step in employee rights, particularly concerning the significant commitment and risk involved in living organ donation. By providing defined leave, the bill addresses potential workplace inequities that may arise following a significant medical procedure. Furthermore, it ensures that time off for recovery is acknowledged as part of the employee's length of service, which may provide additional employment benefits.
Senate Bill 579 (SB0579) aims to amend multiple titles of the Tennessee Code Annotated to create protections and rights for employees in relation to living organ donation. Specifically, the bill mandates that eligible employees are entitled to twelve weeks of leave for recovery following a living organ donation surgery. Additionally, if the surgery date is announced with less than 30 days' notice, the employee is required to provide notice as soon as possible. This initiative highlights the importance of providing employees the necessary time to recover without jeopardizing their job security.
In addition to these core protections, SB0579 mandates the Tennessee Department of Health, in cooperation with the Department of Commerce and Insurance, to develop educational materials that inform the public about the benefits and risks associated with living organ donation. This educational push aims not only to raise awareness but to ultimately foster a culture of support around organ donation in Tennessee.
The bill also addresses the treatment of living organ donors by insurance providers, specifying that they cannot deny or alter coverage based solely on a person's donor status, barring unique actuarial risks. This provision aims to protect the insurance rights of living organ donors, which is crucial as fears of insurance repercussions can discourage potential donors. However, there could be contention regarding how insurers interpret 'actual, unique, and material actuarial risks', which may lead to varying applications across the industry.