HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	560
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to umbilical cord blood pre-registration forms.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that, according to research conducted by a Farrington high school student, the need for umbilical cord blood stem cell transplants are growing rapidly in Hawaii.  Specifically, anyone coming from an ethnic minority group, such as those of Asian or Pacific islander descent, has a lesser likelihood of finding a match through the National Marrow Donor Program than the population-at-large due to the lack of donations from the minority group.

     The legislature also finds that many people in Hawaii expecting a child are not familiar with the options available to them when it comes to their infant's umbilical cord blood.  Hawaii residents require basic information regarding umbilical cord blood, the benefits it presents, and the need for donors, especially from an ethnic minority group.  The legislature further finds that all labor and delivery hospitals in the city and county of Honolulu provide registration papers with brief information and a signed consent form, disclosing preferred action that expectant parents may take in regards to their infant's umbilical cord blood.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to ensure that anyone having a child shall be made aware of the options available to them in regards to their infant's umbilical cord blood following delivery.

     SECTION 2.  The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

umbilical cord blood pre-registration form

     §   -1  Short title.  This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Umbilical Cord Blood Pre-Registration Form."

     §   -2  Form with three options.  As a part of the registration process for expectant parents, all labor and delivery hospitals in the State shall provide the expectant parents with brief information on umbilical cord blood and a signed consent form on three options available to them regarding umbilical cord blood.  The three options are as follows:

     (1)  Donation of the umbilical cord blood to the Hawaii Cord Blood Bank for safekeeping in the National Marrow Donor Program registry;

     (2)  Private banking with an organization for the expectant parents' future use; or

     (3)  Regular hospital disposal.

     §   -3  Hospital registration forms; signature required.  Registration forms for admittance into a hospital shall be considered incomplete if they do not include the executed form required by section    -2.

     §   -4  Signature by expectant parents.  When read and signed by the expectant parents, physicians and other health care professionals shall not disclose information regarding the decision of the expectant parents regarding umbilical cord blood, unless the expectant parents choose the option of publicly donating the umbilical cord blood to the Hawaii Cord Blood Bank.  Physicians and health care professionals shall share additional information with the expectant parents and advise the expectant parents to contact the Hawaii Cord Blood Bank.

     §   -5  Choice of public donation.  Choosing the option of public donation shall not guarantee a donation to the local Hawaii Cord Blood Bank.  All requirements for umbilical cord blood donations established by the Hawaii Cord Blood Bank shall apply."

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Umbilical Cord Blood; Donation

 

Description:

Requires hospitals to provide expectant parents with information on options available to them regarding the donation of umbilical cord blood.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.