SB476
To Allow Leave For Organ Donation For Certain State Employees; And To Prohibit Discrimination Against Individuals Applying For Life Insurance Who Are Organ Donors.
Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
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AI-Generated Summary
Senate Bill 476 introduces two primary protections and benefits for living organ donors in Arkansas. First, it mandates that eligible full-time state employees receive up to twelve weeks of leave for recovery following organ donation surgery, while ensuring this period counts as full-time employment for career service purposes. Certain state roles, such as members of the General Assembly and employees of the Secretary of State or Treasurer of State, are excluded from this benefit. Second, the bill prohibits life insurance companies from canceling, limiting, denying coverage, or charging differential premium rates to individuals based solely on their status as a living organ donor. The bill seeks to remove barriers to organ donation by protecting donors from employment-related hardships and insurance discrimination.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are full-time state employees (excluding specific legislative and constitutional office staff) who choose to become living organ donors, as they are guaranteed job-protected recovery time. Additionally, any individuals applying for life insurance in Arkansas who have previously donated an organ benefit from the prohibition against premium rate differentials or coverage denials based on their donor status.
Who Might Suffer?
Life insurance companies operating in Arkansas would be negatively impacted as they would lose the ability to use organ donor status as a variable in their actuarial risk assessment models for life insurance premiums or coverage eligibility. Additionally, state agencies may face increased administrative costs and operational challenges related to covering the job responsibilities of employees on twelve-week leave.
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