Senate panel unanimously approves bill to authorize emergency privileges for organ-transport teams

Chairman Albers, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, introduced Senate Bill 58 (LC394531), the Georgia Transporting Lifesaving Organs and Personnel Act, and said the measure is intended to streamline and standardize emergency privileges for vehicles and teams that move organs and transplant personnel across the state.

The bill, Albers said, follows a model similar to existing ambulance rules and includes permitting, equipment, light-and-siren standards, and driver certification. "This bill will undoubtedly at one point save somebody's life, hopefully many lives," Albers said during the committee meeting.

Colonel Hitchens, identified in the hearing as commissioner of public safety and head of the Georgia State Patrol, told the committee the bill builds a vetting process…