Relates to bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donation and donation registration, and creates the anatomical gift, bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donation registry

1 Co-sponsor

• David Carlucci

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, the state finance law and the election law, in relation to providing for the creation and dissemination of information pertaining to bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donation and bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donation registration

Purpose or general idea of bill

Establishing Jaden's Law in relation to bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donation and donation registration, and creates the anatomical gifts of bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 designates this act as "Jaden's Law"

Section 2 amends the public health law by adding a new paragraph m to section 207 to add a program for bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donation.

Section 3 amends the public health law by adding a new section 4369 1 to read as follows:

1. (a) the commissioner shall prepare a brochure based on information derived from the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), and designed to inform patients of the option to become a bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell (PESO) donor by registering with the NMDP.

2. (a) A physician, as early a practicable and Where such physician deems appropriate, may provide a copy of the brochure to patients:

(1) who are at least eighteen years of age but no more than 60 years of age; and

(2) who the physician anticipates will be admitted to a hospital for an elective orthopedic procedure or treatment or otherwise believes is a good candidate for donation or is desired by the patient.

(b) the physician may offer to discuss the information contained in the brochure with the patient.

(c) shall not apply to physician who has religious preclusions.

Section 4 amends the public health law by adding a new section 4311 to Establish the bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell registry and the manner thereof.

Section 5 amends subdivision 3 of section 95-d of the state finance law to include bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donation awareness as an eligible research and education project for funding.

Section 6 amends paragraph (k) of subdivision 5 of section 5-210 of the election law by adding a new paragraph (xiii) to include an option to join the registry on voter registration forms.

Section 7 provides the act shall take effect 90 days after it shall have become law.

Justification

The current National Marrow Donor Program contains a registry of millions. For a successful transplant, the tissue type of a bone marrow donor or a cord blood unit needs to match the patient's as closely as possible. Tissue types are inherited, so patients are more likely to match someone who shares their racial or ethnic heritage.

Therefore, it remains difficult to match many patients, especially those from racially and ethnically diverse communities.

Like bone marrow, cord blood is rich in the blood-forming cells that can be used in transplants for patients with leukemia, lymphoma and many other life-threatening diseases. These cells are not embryonic stem cells but contain life saving qualities. There is a tremendous need for more people to join the registry and expectant parents to donate umbilical cord blood. This legislation will help more people receive a transplant and more families will have a future filled with hope.

Prior legislative history

2013-2014: A6582A 2015 - S.5917 - Referred to Rules

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall become law.