HOUSE BILL 638

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Joanne J. Ferrary and Karen C. Bash and Deborah A. Armstrong and Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson and Roberto "Bobby" J. Gonzales

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH; ALLOWING PATIENT INQUIRY REGARDING THE BONE MARROW REGISTRY; EXPANDING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE BONE MARROW REGISTRY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. Section 24-28-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2007, Chapter 159, Section 1) is amended to read:

     "24-28-1. SHORT TITLE.--[This act] Chapter 24, Article 28 NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Bone Marrow and Organ Donor Act"."

     SECTION 2. A new section of the Bone Marrow and Organ Donor Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] PATIENT INQUIRY--BONE MARROW REGISTRY.--Every primary care provider and urgent care physician may inquire of a new patient who is between eighteen and forty-five years of age on the new patient's intake form as to whether the patient is registered with the bone marrow registry. If the patient states that the patient is not registered with the bone marrow registry, the provider or physician may provide information developed and disseminated by the department of health regarding the bone marrow registry to the patient." 

     SECTION 3. Section 24-28-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2007, Chapter 159, Section 2) is amended to read:

     "24-28-2. PUBLIC EDUCATION.--

          A. The department of health shall provide information and educational materials to the public regarding bone marrow donation through the national marrow donor program and regarding organ donations. The department shall seek assistance from the national marrow donor program to establish a system to distribute materials, ensure that the materials are updated periodically, fully disclose the risks involved in donating bone marrow and address the education and recruitment of minority populations.

          B. The information and educational materials shall include information on:

                (1) the need for bone marrow donations;

                (2) patient populations that would benefit from bone marrow donations;

                (3) how to join the bone marrow registry; and

                (4) how to acquire a free buccal swab kit from the bone marrow registry.

          C. The department shall establish a system to distribute information and educational materials regarding organ donations and ensure that the materials are updated periodically, fully disclose the risks of donating an organ and address the education and recruitment of minority populations."

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