(A) An organ and tissue donor program is established within the Department of Corrections. The purpose of the program is to educate prisoners about the need for organ and tissue donors, the procedures required to become a registered organ donor, and, in the case of bone marrow donors, the procedures for determining the person's tissue type and the medical procedures a donor must undergo to donate bone marrow. The Medical University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina, School of Medicine, in conjunction with the Department of Corrections, must make available to prisoners educational pamphlets and brochures concerning bone marrow donation and the bone marrow donation programs operating in this State.

(B) Organ or tissue donations, other than bone marrow donations, may be made by a prisoner, or other person, who meets the requirements contained in Section 44-43-315 and in the manner provided by Section 44-43-320. However, if the department determines that a prisoner's participation in the program would constitute a threat to security, then the department may prohibit the prisoner from participating.

(C) The department is not responsible for any costs associated with tests or other procedures required to make an organ or tissue donation, including costs associated with follow-up doctor appointments or complications arising from donation.

(D) Within its prisoner housing units, the department must display signage informing prisoners of the donor program and, upon request, must provide prisoners with a form, sufficient under the provisions of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, for the gift of all or part of the donor's body conditioned upon the donor's death and a document containing a summary description and explanation of the act. If the prisoner would like to make an organ or tissue donation, the department must provide the prisoner with appropriate assistance and the presence of the legally required number of witnesses. A prisoner's election to donate all or any part of his body pursuant to this section must be noted in his prison records.

(E) The department, in conjunction with appropriate medical authorities, must develop and maintain policies and procedures to:

(1) facilitate participation by interested prisoners in the bone marrow donor programs established in Article 2, Chapter 43, Title 44; and

(2) ensure that organ and tissue donations made by prisoners, other than bone marrow donations, comply with Articles 5, 7, and 11, Chapter 43 of Title 44.

(F) All organ or tissue donations, including bone marrow donations, made pursuant to this section must be made on a voluntary basis.

HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 41, Section 1, eff June 4, 2007.

Code Commissioner's Note

At the direction of the Code Commissioner, the references in the first sentence of subsection (B) were changed from "44-43-330" and "44-43-350" to "44-43-315" and "44-43-320", respectively, to reflect amendments by 2009 Act No. 4.