Bill > SCR33

This Concurrent Resolution urges the Blood Bank of Hawaii to promptly implement the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) updated guidelines for blood donation, which reduce or remove waiting periods for individuals who previously faced restrictions. These updated FDA guidelines, in place since at least August 2020, aim to address national blood shortages, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, by allowing more people to donate blood sooner. Specifically, the resolution highlights changes such as shortening the deferral period from twelve months to three months for men who have had sex with men, women whose partners have had sex with men, and individuals who have recently received tattoos or piercings, and in some cases, eliminating deferral periods for those who have traveled to malaria-endemic areas or lived in certain European countries. The Blood Bank of Hawaii, the sole provider of blood to hospitals in Hawaii and Guam, has been experiencing significant shortages, impacting its ability to supply hospitals adequately, and despite stating adherence to FDA regulations, has not yet adopted these crucial updates.