SB 376: Leave Time for Certain State Employees-Living Donation

Summary: To permit leave time for certain state employees for living donation procedures of whole or partial organs and also includes donation of bone marrow.

Introduced: Senator Gilda Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods); April 2005.

Status: Passed Senate 3/23/2006. Referred to House Committee on Government Operations.

SB 650: Driver Education Requirement-Anatomical Gift Instruction

Summary: Require the right to make an anatomical gift to be part of an approved driver education course; materials to be created in cooperation with Gift of Life Michigan.

Introduced: Senator Gerald Van Woerkom (R-Muskegon); June 2005.

Status: Hearing before the Senate Transportation Committee (11/01/2005). No vote taken.

HB 4455: Minority Health Disparities Research and Education Act

Summary: The act would develop a state structure to address the disparities in minority health care throughout the state. It includes establishing a department within the Michigan Department of Community Health and authorizing research into minority health issues.

Introduced: Representative Murphy (D-Lansing); March 2005.

Status: Passed House 3/8/2006. Referred to Senate Committee on Health Policy.

HB 4498/4497: Establish Fund for uninsured patients with grave illnesses

Summary: HB 4498 establishes fund for uninsured patients with grave illnesses. The definition of grave illnesses includes organ and transplant procedures and the recovery of the following organs and tissues: kidney, liver, heart, lung, and bone marrow. HB 4497 establishes a contribution to the fund of $3 or more on income tax returns.

Introduced: Representative Green (R-Wyoming); March 2005.

Status: Referred to House Committee on Tax Policy.

HB 5404: Deduction for Expenses and Lost Wages Incurred during Organ Donation

Summary: Tax deduction, up to $10,000, for unreimbursed expenses related to living organ donation, including bone marrow.

Introduced: Representative Gleason (D-Flushing); November 2005.

Status: Referred to House Committee on Tax Policy.

HB 5418: Refer to newly passed Public Act 176 of 2005 as "Kyle Ray Horning’s Law"

Summary: The bill would rename Public Act 176 of 2005 (ME law) after Kyle Ray Horning, who became a donor the day the bill was signed and three Status I patients received Kyle’s organs, including two infants.

Introduced: Representative Hune (R-Fowlerville); November 2005.

Status: Passed House unanimously (12/05). Referred to Senate Health Policy Committee.

Comments: HB 5418 was introduced at the request of the family of 5-month old Kyle Ray Horning, whose death motivated the Governor to sign Public Act 176 into law.