146.31 Blood or tissue transfer services.

(1) It is unlawful to operate a blood bank for commercial profit.

(2) The procurement, processing, distribution or use of whole blood, plasma, blood products, blood derivatives and other human tissues such as corneas, bones or organs for the purpose of injecting, transfusing or transplanting any of them into the human body is declared to be, for all purposes except as provided under s. 146.345, the rendition of a service by every person participating therein and, whether or not any remuneration is paid therefor, not to be a sale of the whole blood, plasma, blood products, blood derivatives or other tissues. No person involved in the procurement, processing, distribution or use of whole blood, plasma, blood products or blood derivatives for the purpose of injecting or transfusing any of them into the human body shall be liable for damages resulting from these activities except for his or her own negligence or willful misconduct.

(3) No hospital, nonprofit tissue bank, physician, nurse or other medical personnel acting under the supervision and direction of a physician involved in the procurement, processing, distribution or use of human tissues such as corneas, bones or organs for the purpose of transplanting any of them into the human body shall be liable for damages resulting from those activities except for negligence or willful misconduct by that hospital, nonprofit tissue bank, physician, nurse or other medical personnel.

History: 1975 c. 75, 76; 1987 a. 97.

Sub. (1) is unconstitutional. It violates the commerce clause, Art. I, s. 8, and the supremacy clause, art. VI, of the U.S. Constitution. State v. Interstate Blood Bank, Inc. 65 Wis. 2d 482, 222 N.W.2d 912 (1974).