HB 178 - This act requires the Department of Health to maintain a registry of organ donors. The registry shall record the name of all people who indicate, through any means, the desire to make an organ donation upon death. Information in the registry shall be released to persons or organizations designated by the Organ Donation Advisory Committee, which is created in this act.

The Organ Donation Advisory Committee established within the Department of Health will consist of 10 members, appointed for 5 year terms at the pleasure of the Governor. Four members will be representatives of organ and tissue procurement organizations; four member will be representatives of organ recipients, organ donors or their families; one health care representative from a hospital located in Missouri and one representative from the Department of Health. Members will serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses.

The act also creates the "Organ Donor Program Fund". This fund will consist of $1 donations which can be made with an application for a driver's license. A driver's license applicant interested in making an organ donation will complete the form on the reverse of the license and the Department of Revenue will forward the name and address of the person to the Department of Health for entry into the registry of organ donors.

Money in the "Organ Donor Program Fund" shall be used by the Department of Health: (1) to provide grants to certified organ procurement organizations for the development and implementation of organ donation awareness programs; (2) to provide informational pamphlets or booklets regarding organ donations and donations to the organ donor program fund; (3) for maintenance of the central registry of organ donors; and (4) to implementation of organ donation awareness programs in secondary schools by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Any person 18 or older or any person under 18 with parental consent may also indicate through the use of a will, or other document the intent to become an organ donor. If a person chooses such a method to become an organ donor he may contact the Department of Health so that information can be included in the registry of organ donors.
CHERYL GRAZIER