Texas House Bill HB2904

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/7/11
• Introduced: 3/10/11
• Voted on by House: 4/19/11
• Refer: 3/17/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/16/11
• Report Pass: 3/30/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/19/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 4/26/11
• Report Pass: 5/16/11
• Enrolled: 5/25/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to the administration of the Glenda Dawson Donate Life-Texas Registry.

Impact

The bill modifies existing laws under the Health and Safety Code, enhancing the Texas organ donation system while also setting out the responsibilities of the Department of State Health Services. It specifies that the Department of Public Safety will collaborate closely with the nonprofit managing the registry to ensure that the registry is accurately maintained and that data privacy is strictly observed. Additionally, a fee structure is established for implementing these services, potentially funded through small additional fees on various licensing applications.

Summary

House Bill 2904 addresses the administration of the Glenda Dawson Donate Life-Texas Registry. The bill mandates the creation of a statewide Internet-based registry for organ, tissue, and eye donors in Texas, with the intent to promote organ donation awareness and education among the public. By contracting a nonprofit organization to manage the registry, the bill aims to streamline the process of registering donors and providing relevant information to potential donors during transactions such as applying for or renewing a driver's license.

Conclusion

Overall, HB2904 aims to enhance organ donation in Texas through a well-structured registry while ensuring protections are in place for donor information. As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it will be crucial to monitor discussions around its implementation and the operational effectiveness of the nonprofit organization tasked with managing the registry.

Contention

Despite the generally positive reception toward increasing organ donation efforts, some concerns were raised about the administrative efficiency and transparency of the contracted nonprofit organizations responsible for managing the registry. Critics express apprehension regarding the potential for inefficiency or mismanagement of the data, emphasizing the importance of public trust in the handling of sensitive personal information related to organ donation.