HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 142

(By Delegate Hill)

[Introduced March 6, 2020]

Requesting a study to modernize the state’s organ donation system to ensure that it supports West Virginia’s support of organ and tissue donation.

Whereas, Approximately 113,000 Americans are currently on waitlists for lifesaving organ transplants – 20 of whom die each day; and

Whereas, The leading causes of traumatic brain injury are motor vehicle crashes, falls, being struck by or against objects, and assault; and

Whereas, Someone is added to the organ donation waiting list every 10 minutes, and over 500 of those awaiting a life-saving organ transplant are West Virginians; and

Whereas, One person can donate up to eight lifesaving organs; and

Whereas, West Virginia proved strong support of organ donation by being one of the first states in the nation to provide an organ donation registration option in the hunting and fishing licensing process; and

Whereas, Transplantation is one of the most remarkable success stories in the history of medicine. It gives a second chance at life to thousands of people facing organ failure and provides many others with active and renewed lives. But despite continuing advances in medicine and technology, the need for organs and tissues is vastly greater than the number available for transplantation; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct a study to modernize the state’s organ donation system to ensure that it supports West Virginia’s support of organ and tissue donation; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Legislature, on the first day of the regular session, 2021, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with drafts of any legislation to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.