The bill, H.B. No. 2991, amends the Health and Safety Code to allow individuals who are 17 years old to donate blood or blood components with written informed consent from a parent, managing conservator, or legal guardian. The bill specifies that the executive commissioner will create a form for this consent, which must include information about the risks and health effects of blood donation, particularly for those under 18. Additionally, the bill sets forth restrictions on donations by individuals under 18, including limits on the frequency of donations, hemoglobin level requirements, and a prohibition on receiving compensation for donations.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a civil penalty for violations related to blood donation by minors and prohibits the sale of blood or blood components donated by individuals under 18 for profit or to entities outside the United States. The amendments also remove previous language that allowed 17-year-olds to consent to blood donation without parental consent. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 162.013, Health and Safety Code 162.015 (Health and Safety Code 162)