The House of Representatives passed a bill on July 26 that would allow federal employees who donate organs to be eligible for 30 days off in addition to their regular sick leave.
Currently, the law allows seven extra days off for organ and bone marrow donors, but the new legislation would extend the time off for organ donors. "Seven days is usually an adequate period of time for recovery from bone marrow donation; however, recovery from organ donation can be lengthy," says a summary of the Organ Donor Leave Act (H.R. 457) posted at http://hillsource.house.gov/legislativedigest/floorprep/fpmain/fp072699.htm.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and was passed by a voice vote with no dissent.
A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate. Last year, the House passed another similar measure, but the Senate never acted on it.
In a letter supporting the measure, the American Society of Transplantation (AST) wrote: "A lack of leave time has served as a significant impediment and disincentive for individuals willing to share the gift of life."
For Your Information:
Thomas: Legislative Information on the Internet
http://thomas.loc.gov/
Search for "HR 457" or "Organ Donor Leave Act" in the search window.AST Washington Round-Up
March 1999 Newsletter
http://www.a-s-t.org/wa/wa399.htm
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