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HD 884

An Act providing living organ donor protections

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Natalie Blais and 2 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill protecting living organ donors from employment discrimination, insurance penalties, and financial hardship during recovery to increase donation rates.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 884

Legislative bill overview

HD 884 establishes protections for living organ donors in Massachusetts, including provisions for medical leave, health insurance protections, and anti-discrimination safeguards. The bill aims to remove barriers that might discourage people from donating organs by ensuring donors don't face employment or insurance penalties for their donation.

Why is this important

Living organ donation is a critical medical practice that saves lives, but potential donors often face practical concerns about lost wages, job security, and insurance costs during recovery. These barriers disproportionately affect lower-income individuals, potentially reducing the available donor pool. Protective legislation can increase donation rates by ensuring donors aren't financially or professionally penalized.

Potential points of contention

  • Employer burden: Mandatory medical leave policies and anti-discrimination provisions may increase compliance costs for businesses, particularly small employers
  • Insurance implications: Requirements that insurers not penalize donors could theoretically increase premiums for other policyholders or limit underwriting practices
  • Scope and enforcement: Unclear definitions of what constitutes discrimination or retaliation, and how violations would be investigated and enforced
  • Implementation details: Whether protections apply equally to all types of living donations (kidney, liver portion, bone marrow) and whether coverage extends to all insurance types

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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