Prohibits taking organ donor and recipient COVID-19 vaccination status into consideration during organ transplant process, excluding lung transplants

State: MO
Bill Number: SB 710
Position: SUPPORT
Action Required: None
Status: Enacted, signed by Governor and effective 6/30/2022

Legislation Details:

UPDATE: 6/30/2022 - SB 710 signed by the Governor and in effect.

UPDATE: 5/18/2022 - SB 710 delivered to Governor. You can call Governor Parson's office to ask him to sign HB 2331 at 573-751-3222, or you may email him here.

UPDATE: 5/13/2022 - SB 710 was truly agreed to and passed the legislature with a conference committee substitute. The final version of the bill excludes lung transplants from the portion of the bill prohibiting taking organ donor and recipient COVID-19 vaccination status during the organ transplant process.

Because of this change, NVIC Advocacy has changed the title of this bill from "Prohibits taking organ donor and recipient COVID-19 vaccination status into consideration during organ transplant process" to "Prohibits taking organ donor and recipient COVID-19 vaccination status into consideration during organ transplant process, excluding lung transplants."

NVIC Advocacy does not take a position on the provisions of the bill which are unrelated to vaccines.

UPDATE:  5/11/2022 - SB 710 is scheduled for conference committee on 5/11/2022.

UPDATE:  5/10/2022 - SB 710 is scheduled for conference committee on 5/10/2022.

UPDATE:  5/7/2022 - SB 710 is scheduled for conference committee on 5/9/2022.

UPDATE: 5/5/2022 - The Senate refused to concur with SB 710 House amendments. 

UPDATE:  5/4/2022 - SB 710 passed the House with amendments.

UPDATE:  5/3/2022 - SB 710 is on the House Calendar for Senate Bills for Third Reading (in Fiscal Review).

UPDATE: 4/27/2022 - SB 710 passed the House Downsizing State Government Committee with a new committee substitute.

This version of the bill prohibits hospitals, physicians, procurement organizations, or other persons from taking the COVID-19 vaccination status of organ donors and recipients into consideration during the organ transplant process:

1. The referral of a patient to be considered for a transplant;

2. The evaluation of a patient for a transplant;

3. The consideration of a patient for placement on a waiting list;

4. A patient's particular position on a waiting list; and

5. The evaluation of a potential donor to determine his or her suitability as an organ donor.

A previous version of the bill prohibits health care facilities from requiring patients to be vaccinated against any disease in order to receive treatment or visitation. This provision has been removed.

 Because of the changes in the new committee substitute, NVIC Advocacy has changed the title of this bill from "Prohibits health care facilities from requiring patients be vaccinated in order to receive treatment or visitation" to "Prohibits taking organ donor and recipient COVID-19 vaccination status into consideration during organ transplant process."

UPDATE:  4/27/2022 - SB 710 is scheduled for executive session in the House Downsizing State Government Committee at 12:00 PM or upon morning recess, whichever is later, in House Hearing Room 5. 

UPDATE: 4/25/2022 - SB 710 was returned to the House Downsizing State Government Committee.

SB 710 is scheduled for an executive session in the House Rules - Administrative Oversight Committee on 4/25/2022.  Agenda - https://www.house.mo.gov/AllHearings.aspx?nid=7026  This bill is sponsored by Senator Beck.  

As introduced the bill only established "Will's Law," requiring individualized health care plans to be developed by school nurses in public schools and charter schools. The bill was substituted in the House Downsizing State Government Committee on 4/20/2022 to add new sections including the "No Patient Left Alone Act" that in part, prohibits health care facilities from requiring patients to be vaccinated against any disease in order to receive treatment or visitation.

NVIC Advocacy supports this section, but does not take a position on the other parts of the bill. 

https://www.senate.mo.gov/22info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=71259734- text, status and history for SB 710