AUSTIN – SB 1249, legislation by Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-Fort Worth) to establish a Living Donor Registry Education Program in Texas, passed the Senate Health & Human Services Committee unanimously last night.

The proposed Department of State Health Services (DSHS) program would educate Texans about the option of registering as a living organ donor through the National Donate Life Living Donor Registry, which completed its pilot phase in 2021 in Texas and is under development for nationwide expansion.

“My living donor gave me my life back,” said Sen. Hancock, who received a healthy kidney in July 2022 from his son-in-law, Greg Cox, more than 30 years after being diagnosed with a rare kidney disease called IgA nephropathy. “With modern medical advancements, it’s really amazing how minimally-invasive this can be for a healthy donor, so we’re grateful to have the opportunity to partner with Donate Life on spreading the word and helping get the new Living Donor Registry running full steam ahead here in Texas.”

More than 10,000 Texans and more than 100,000 Americans are currently on the transplant waiting list hoping to receive a lifesaving organ.

An astounding 85 percent of that need is attributed to kidneys and could be met by living donors willing to donate one kidney. Another 11 percent are awaiting a liver transplant, which can also be provided by living donors who give a portion of their liver. Both kidneys and livers are generally able to compensate for the donated organ or segment without a significant long-term impact on the health of the donor.

Having passed committee unanimously, SB 1249 is now eligible for a vote by the full Senate and would subsequently move to the Texas House of Representatives for final passage.

To follow the progress of the bill, visit Texas Legislature Online. For more information on living organ donation, please visit https://donatelife.net/donation/donor-registries/living-donor-registry/.

###