Bill Authorizing Minors to Donate Blood Gets Preliminary House OK

A measure that would allow minors over the age of 16 to donate blood received preliminary approval in the House of Representatives today.

HB 1023, sponsored by Reps. Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada, and Spencer Swalm, R-Centennial, and Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood, would open the door to teenager donations with parental consent.

According to an estimate by Bonfils Blood Center the bill, if enacted into law, would result in 2,600 more blood donors each year. The additional blood supply would benefit up to 7,800 patients each year.