Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H4796

Introduced
7/23/25  
Refer
7/23/25  
Refer
11/24/25  

Caption

Relative to organ transplant vehicles

Impact

The bill is expected to enhance the efficiency of organ transportation, which is crucial for timely and effective organ transplant procedures. By ensuring that these vehicles are regulated and recognized as emergency vehicles, the bill aims to improve response times and operational readiness of organ procurement organizations. Additionally, it empowers the department to create specific regulations concerning safety, training, and operational standards that must be adhered to by these organizations and their drivers. This regulatory framework is poised to enhance public health outcomes by supporting better logistics in organ recovery and transplantation.

Summary

House Bill 4796, titled 'An Act relative to organ transplant vehicles', proposes significant changes to the legal framework surrounding vehicles used for transporting human organs. This legislation aims to define the terms associated with organ procurement and to establish the regulatory requirements for these specialized vehicles. Specifically, it mandates that all organ transplant vehicles must be registered with the relevant department and establishes them as emergency vehicles when they are in operation transporting organs or medical personnel. This recognition as emergency vehicles is critical as it allows for expedited transport during organ recovery and transplantation processes.

Contention

While the bill appears to have positive intentions regarding public health, it may be met with scrutiny regarding the adequacy of the established regulations and whether they sufficiently address the complexities involved in organ transportation. There might be concerns about the implications for existing emergency vehicle laws and how this new designation interacts with them. Furthermore, stakeholders such as healthcare providers and organ donation organizations may debate the feasibility of the registration and operational standards imposed by the bill, focusing on whether they will create unnecessary burdens or enhance operational capabilities.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

MA SB1261

Modifies provisions relating to organ transplant procedures

MA SB471

Modifies provisions relating to organ transplant procedures

MA HB1228

Provide a stipend to certain members of the National Guard who donate an organ for the purpose of transplantation to another individual.

MA LD1055

An Act to Prohibit Discrimination in Access to Anatomical Donations and Organ Transplants

MA SB311

To Create The End Organ And Genomic Harvesting Act; To Prohibit Coverage Of Certain Human Organ Transplant Or Post-transplant Care; And To Prohibit Certain Genetic Sequencers And Genetic Analysis Technologies.

MA HB4076

Relating to prohibiting organ transplant recipient discrimination on the basis of vaccination status.

MA HB5626

Relating to the right of an employee to unpaid leave to donate an organ or bone marrow or to receive an organ or bone marrow transplant.

MA HB5406

Insurance: health insurers; organ transplant coverage; prohibit if the organ is from a country known for organ harvesting. Amends 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.100 - 500.8302) by adding sec. 3406ww.

MA HB5521

Human services: medical services; organ transplant coverage; prohibit if the organ is from a country known for organ harvesting. Amends 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.1 - 400.119b) by adding sec. 109z.

MA SB1161

Relating to organ transport vehicles; and prescribing an effective date.

Similar Bills

AZ HB2109

Forced organ harvesting; insurance; prohibition

TX HB4076

Relating to prohibiting organ transplant recipient discrimination on the basis of vaccination status.

NJ SR54

Urges U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reconsider implementation of new rules concerning organ procurement organizations.

ME LD1055

An Act to Prohibit Discrimination in Access to Anatomical Donations and Organ Transplants

IL SB0087

ANATOMICAL DONATION

TX HR913

Honoring Dr. Francis H. Wright Jr. of San Antonio for his service as chair of the Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force.

NJ A4841

Requires SHBP, SEHBP, and NJ FamilyCare to cover kidney disease education services; Requires DOH to develop policies and procedures regarding kidney disease education services.

TX HR1311

Honoring Dr. Tiffany L. Anthony on the occasion of Medical City Dallas Advocacy Day.