Bill > HB620

This bill designates February 17 of each year as "Blood Plasma Donation Awareness Day" in Georgia, and is accompanied by extensive legislative findings that highlight the critical importance of blood plasma donation. The bill provides context about the significant role of plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs) in treating various medical conditions, including sickle cell disease, autoimmune disorders, and rare genetic conditions. It emphasizes the substantial economic growth of the global blood plasma market, which reached approximately $30 billion in 2022, and draws attention to the notable contributions of African Americans in plasma donation, who comprise over 86% of nationwide donations. The bill also honors Dr. Charles Richard Drew, an African American medical pioneer who revolutionized blood plasma donation and storage techniques. By establishing this awareness day, the legislation aims to promote understanding of plasma donation's vital role in healthcare, increase awareness about its medical importance, and potentially address representation disparities in the plasma donation industry. The act will become effective on July 1, 2025, and will add a new section to Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70795