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SD 1877

An Act providing living organ donor protections

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Driscoll

Massachusetts bill establishes protections for living organ donors including medical support, employment safeguards, and financial assistance to prevent donor hardship.

House concurred
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 1877

Legislative bill overview

SD 1877 establishes legal protections and support services for living organ donors in Massachusetts. The bill creates a framework to safeguard donors' medical, financial, and employment interests when they donate organs to recipients while living.

Why is this important

Living organ donation—most commonly kidneys and liver segments—can save recipients' lives but poses health risks and potential economic hardship for donors. Without protections, donors may face medical complications, lost wages, insurance discrimination, or employment retaliation. This legislation addresses a gap in donor support that currently varies widely across U.S. states.

Potential points of contention

  • Financial coverage scope: Disagreement over which medical expenses, lost wages, and travel costs should be covered and who bears the financial burden (insurers, state, hospitals, recipients' families)
  • Insurance and employment protections: Questions about how strictly employers and insurers can be restricted from using donation history in hiring, promotion, or coverage decisions
  • Implementation costs and funding: Uncertainty about program administration expenses and whether existing state budgets can accommodate new donor support services without cuts elsewhere

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

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