FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) — Members of the House Standing Committee on Health Services voted to pass organ donation safety legislation sponsored by House Majority Whip Jason Nemes.
House Bill 510 would establish a standardized “pause in procedure” process that must be followed when concerns arise during organ procurement that could affect a patient’s medical status or eligibility. The provisions would not conflict with existing end-of-life laws, interfere with federally designated organ procurement organizations or discourage ethical organ donation.
“Each year, organ donation makes it possible for thousands of people to receive life-saving and life-enhancing transplants,” Nemes said. “House Bill 510 simply seeks to protect patient safety by ensuring health care professionals have clear, enforceable protocols for organ procurement.”
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Bill requirements
Under HB 510, “pause in procedure” means the immediate suspension of any organ donation recovery, preservation, or procurement activity. A pause would be required if any individual involved or present, such as hospital physicians, nurses, or clinical staff, reports observed or suspected change in neurological status, observed or suspected indication of life, or uncertainty regarding the accuracy or completeness of neurological status or death declaration assessments.
If a pause is initiated, all organ donation recovery, preservation, or procurement activities would stop and a comprehensive reassessment of the patient’s neurological and physiological status would be required. The bill would also mandate documentation and reporting. Failure to comply with HB 510 could result in administrative actions, including civil penalties.
“Establishing a standardized pause in procedure process would create an additional safeguard to ensure organ procurement is not done prematurely and that patient safety and human dignity are prioritized in the process,” Nemes said.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services would be required to promulgate regulations to implement pause in procedure requirements and report implementation outcomes to the Legislative Research Commission by October 1 of each year beginning in 2026.
HB 510 will now move to the full House for consideration.
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