INDIANAPOLIS—Today, legislation introduced by Senate Democratic Leader Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) was approved out of the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee with unanimous support.

Sen. Taylor’s Senate Bill 398 would allow the Indiana Department of Health to establish a bone marrow recruitment program and post information about bone marrow donation on their website to educate Hoosiers.

“I’m thankful to my colleagues for supporting my legislation,” Sen. Taylor said. “I had a friend once who needed a bone marrow transplant, and I was tested along with several friends to see if any of us would be a match. Unfortunately, none of us were and that friend passed. That moment stayed with me, and I’m happy to have this bill move forward today to make it easier for Hoosiers to find bone marrow donors.

“This bill will be particularly helpful in the African American community where only around 29 percent of those in need of a bone marrow transplant have a chance of finding a match. For our white counterparts, the chances of finding a match are about 79 percent. I hope my proposal will help increase the number of African American donors we’re receiving. Some states have offered incentives, including tax credits and paid leave to increase participation in bone marrow donation—I hope to see similar encouragement in Indiana.

“I’m excited about the life-saving possibilities of SB 398, and I hope to see this bill make it all the way through the General Assembly this session.”