BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                  AB 1297
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 1, 2013

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                AB 1297 (John A. Pérez) - As Amended:  April 10, 2013 

          Policy Committee:                              HealthVote:19-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          Yes    Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill facilitates information sharing between coroners and  
          organ procurement organizations (OPOs) by permitting an OPO to  
          notify the coroner, and requiring the coroner to accept the  
          notification in situations where an anatomical gift might be  
          available or has been made and death is imminent, as specified. 
           
           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Negligible state costs.

           COMMENTS  

           Rationale  .  According to the sponsor of this measure, Donate  
          Life California (DLC), there are instances where individuals  
          have expressed intent to donate, but do not technically fall  
          under a coroner's jurisdiction yet, such as persons on life  
          support who have not yet died.  There is a narrow time window  
          between declaration of death and the commencement of organ  
          recovery by OPOs.  DLC states these circumstances require the  
          OPO to consult with the coroner/medical examiner (ME) prior to  
          declaration of death since the body is deemed likely to fall  
          under the coroner's jurisdiction post mortem.  According to DLC,  
          by formally addressing the relationship between OPOs and  
          coroners in these particular instances, this bill would codify a  
          common practice to ensure all parties are able to perform their  
          responsibilities and honor the donor's wish to save lives after  
          he or she dies.  

           Background  .  For deaths requiring coroner/ME review, their  
          cooperation and support is vital for ensuring successful organ  
          and tissue donations to benefit thousands of transplant  








                                                                  AB 1297
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          recipients each year.  OPOs collaborate with coroners/MEs in the  
          referral and evaluation of potential organ and tissue donors to  
          broaden the donation options for donor families, while  
          preserving evidence for death investigations to determine the  
          cause and manner of death.  OPOs usually have a coroner liaison  
          to work closely and serve as a dedicated resource regarding  
          donation with coroners and MEs.  After the OPO staff determines  
          organ and tissue recovery will take place, the coroner/ME is  
          notified and clearance is obtained for transplantation to occur  
          in accordance with the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act.  

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Debra Roth / APPR. / (916) 319-2081