05/02/1997 04:40 PM House FIN

  SENATE BILL 38                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
       "An Act relating to anatomical gifts, living wills, and                 
       do not resuscitate orders."                                             
                                                                               
  JOE AMBROSE,  STAFF, SENATOR  ROBIN TAYLOR,  noted that  the                 
  legislation  would  modify  existing statutes  dealing  with                 
  living wills and  would add a  provision by which those  who                 
  execute a  living will can  choose through that  document to                 
  become  an  organ donor.   By  adding  the provision  to the                 
  statutory language suggested  for a living will,  loved ones                 
  and health care professionals would  be fully informed as to                 
  the wishes of family members and patients.                                   
                                                                               
  In addition to adding anatomical gifts  to the language of a                 
  living  will, SB  38 would  instruct the  Division of  Motor                 
  Vehicles (DMV) to indicate on drivers' licenses not only the                 
                                                                               
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  fact that the bearer  has elected to become an  organ donor,                 
  but  also  that  the individual  has  a  living  will.   The                 
  provision  generated a fiscal  note on the  bill, which will                 
  total $2 thousand dollars for the design of a logo.                          
                                                                               
  Mr. Ambrose noted that SB 38 has been thoroughly examined in                 
  the  committee  process  and  has  been amended  to  address                 
  concerns  raised  by  the Emergency  Medical  Services (EMS)                 
  Section of the  State Division  of Health as  well as  organ                 
  banks in Alaska and Washington state.                                        
                                                                               
  JENS  SAAKVITRE,  (TESTIFIED VIA  TELECONFERENCE), DIRECTOR,                 
  LIFE-ALASKA, ANCHORAGE,  spoke in  support  of the  proposed                 
  legislation.                                                                 
                                                                               
  Representative Martin MOVED  to report HCS  CS SB 177  (JUD)                 
  out of  Committee with  individual recommendations  and with                 
  the accompanying fiscal notes.  There being NO OBJECTION, it                 
  was so ordered.                                                              
                                                                               
  HCS CS SB 177 (JUD) was reported out of Committee with a "do                 
  pass" recommendation and with fiscal notes by the Department                 
  of  Health  and   Social  Services  dated  2/3/97   and  the                 
  Department of Public Safety dated 2/3/97.