§ 8627.1 . Information relative to organ and tissue donation.
(a) Model curriculum.--Within nine months of the effective
date of this section, the Department of Education, in
consultation with the designated organ procurement
organizations, shall develop and post on the Department of
Education's publicly accessible Internet website a model
curriculum regarding organ donation for students in grades 9
through 12 which public and nonpublic schools may use to provide
instruction . The form and content of the model curriculum
regarding organ donation shall be determined by the Department
of Education. The model curriculum shall do all of the
following, at a minimum:
(1) Provide a comprehensive, scientific overview of
anatomical donation, its history and scientific advancement.
(2) Fully address the risks and benefits of and the
myths and misunderstandings regarding organ and tissue
donation.
(3) Explain the options available to minors and adults,
including the option of designating oneself as an organ and
tissue donor and the option of not designating oneself as an
organ donor.
(b) Materials.-- Within nine months of the effective date of
this section, the Department of Education shall make related
instructional materials available on the Department of
Education's publicly accessible Internet website to public and
nonpublic schools educating students in grades 9 through 12. The
General Assembly shall encourage public and nonpublic schools to
use the instructional materials. Nothing in this subsection
shall be construed to require public or nonpublic schools to use
the instructional materials.
(c) Parental option.--A minor enrolled in a public or
nonpublic school shall be permitted to opt out of receiving
instruction or materials relating to anatomical donation as
provided under this section if the minor's parent or guardian
has provided written notice to the school.
(d) Institutions of higher education.--
(1) Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, each
public institution of higher education in this Commonwealth
may provide, in collaboration with the designated organ
procurement organizations, information to its students,
either through student health services or as part of the
curriculum, which:
(i) provides a comprehensive, scientific overview of
anatomical donation, its history and scientific
advancement; and
(ii) addresses the risks and benefits of and the
myths and misunderstandings about anatomical donation.
(2) Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, each
private institution of higher education in this Commonwealth
may provide, in collaboration with the designated organ
procurement organizations, information to its students,
2018/90BIL/SB0180A06502 - 4 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51