Laws and Legislation
The donation of anatomical gifts is supported by both state and federal laws and regulations. The origins of state laws outlining the rights and responsibilities of both individuals and healthcare providers started in 1968 with Indiana’s adoption of the first Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA.) Read the language of Indiana’s UAGA: CLICK HERE
Every state makes provisions for organ and tissue donation each having their own version of the UAGA. Since organ donation in particular is a nationally-based system there are not many differences in language from one state to another. The UAGA creates a legal framework for defining who can grant permission to be a donor and mechanisms for declaring a donation decision. In Indiana, laws affecting donation can also be found under sections pertaining to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles CLICK HERE. For County Government (laws governing Indiana coroners.) CLICK HERE
The Indiana Organ Procurement Organization was established as part of the U.S. Public Health Services Act (Section 372) and the Social Securities Act (Section 1138). IOPO is a member of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, also established by the National Organ Transplant Act in 1984.
IOPO is a 501 c 3 nonprofit company
