House unanimously approves bill to allow directed blood donations at Utah hospitals
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Summary
House Bill 400 requires Utah hospitals to store and transfuse directed blood donations when a licensed vendor and federal safety guidance are followed; sponsor said the bill gives patients flexibility but does not compel vendors to participate.
House Bill 400, which would require Utah hospitals to store and transfuse blood collected through directed donation by a licensed vendor when federal safety requirements are met, passed the Utah House Feb. 19 by unanimous vote.
Representative Chevrier, sponsor, told the House the bill is intended to give patients more flexibility and decision-making authority regarding directed blood donation — including requests to use a particular vendor or to transfuse a patient’s own blood when federal safety standards are followed. She noted that hospitals and vendors would still need to comply with FDA registration and safety requirements and that no vendor would be compelled to accommodate a directed-donation request.
The sponsor described specific patient circumstances that had prompted the bill, including patients with multiple congenital heart defects and leukemia who had sought directed donations and been denied. The measure passed without recorded opposition; the clerk reported 68 yeas and 0 nays.
Discussion vs. decision: sponsor remarks and committee history were recorded; there were no floor amendments or further debate reported. The bill will proceed to the Senate.
Votes at a glance: First substitute, House Bill 400 — Passes House; recorded tally 68 yeas, 0 nays.