CCS/SCS/HB 811 - This act provides that when a death occurs away from a licensed health care facility, the first licensed medical professional or law enforcement officer learning of the death should contact the county coroner or county medical examiner. The county coroner or medical examiner shall make the determination if further investigation is needed, based on the information provided by the medical professional or law enforcement officer. The coroner or medical examiner shall immediately advise the person who contacted him of whether further investigation is necessary.

A coroner or medical examiner shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate organ donation.

This act makes any anatomical gift not revoked by a donor before death irrevocable and the donee is authorized to accept the gift without obtaining the consent of any other person.

When a hospital cannot ascertain a patient's attorney in fact acting under a durable power of attorney, or the next-of- kin, based on available information, the hospital shall notify and request consent to a donation from any other person authorized to dispose of the body.

Organ procurement organizations and tissue banks may employ coordinators to assist in the procurement of cadaveric organs and tissue for transplant and research. A coordinator is under direct supervision of a physician or surgeon for organ procurement surgery, and indirect supervision otherwise. Indirect supervision means that the physician or surgeon is responsible for the medical actions of the coordinator. The physician or surgeon will be available in person or by phone to provide medical direction, consultation or advice.

The Department of Health shall collect information and publish an annual report which shall include the number of organ and tissue donations made in the state, the number of organ or tissue donations received by citizens in the state, the number of organ and tissue donations transported outside the state boundaries and the cost of such organ or tissue donations.

This act is similar to SCS/SB 515 & 584 (1996); SB 713 (1996) and HB 146 (1995).
CHERYL GRAZIER