The legislature finds that:

     (1) The demand for donor organs and body parts exceeds the available supply for transplant.

     (2) The discussion regarding advance directives including anatomical gifts is most appropriate with the primary care provider during an office visit.

     (3) Federal law requires hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospice programs to provide information regarding advance directives.

     (4) Discretion and sensitivity must be used in discussion and requests for anatomical gifts.

     The legislature declares that it is in the best interest of the citizens of Washington to provide a program that will increase the number of anatomical gifts available for donation, and the legislature further declares that wherever possible policies and procedures required in this chapter shall be consistent with the federal requirements.

[1993 c 228 § 1.]