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House passes donor-leave bill to allow paid time off for state organ and bone-marrow donors
Summary
After extended floor debate over whether leave should be paid, the Utah House approved Senate Bill 125 to permit state employees up to seven days paid leave for bone-marrow donation and up to 30 days for organ donation; the House vote was 45–25.
The Utah House of Representatives on March 6, 2002, approved Senate Bill 125 to give state employees time off to donate bone marrow or organs, with paid leave for bone-marrow donors and up to 30 days paid leave for organ donors. The House recorded a 45–25 vote in favor.
Supporters framed the bill as a life-saving measure that would primarily aid low-wage state workers who lack flexible paid time off. "Many of the state employees work for very, very low wages," a supporter said during debate, noting past instances where colleagues donated leave to help a co-worker and arguing the bill provides a safeguard when donated leave is not available.
Opponents objected to using taxpayer funds to pay for individual acts of donation. Representative Bryson asked whether the state should be "subsidizing up to 30 days paid leave for a person who decides to donate their organ," saying such payments shift the burden to taxpayers. An amendment to convert the bill’s paid leave language to unpaid leave was moved and debated but ultimately failed on the floor.
Proponents pointed to federal precedent and other states. A supporter referenced the federal donor-leave act enacted in 1999, saying the concept already had national backing and that agencies reported no fiscal note. Sponsors and backers argued that the expected incidence was low—one or two employees per year—and that agencies indicated the cost would be handled within existing budgets.
The House debate included personal testimony; several members recounted family experiences with transplant operations to emphasize the human impact. After summation by the sponsor and closing debate, the bill was publicly read, signed by the Speaker and entered in the journal; it will be returned to the Senate for the President’s signature.
Action taken: The House passed Senate Bill 125, 45 yes to 25 no. The body recorded that the bill was read publicly and signed in the presence of the House.
