Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver joined Senator Lindsey Williams, advocates, donors, and transplant recipients at the Capitol on April 21 to highlight Senate Bill 124, a bipartisan proposal aimed at supporting living organ donors.
The bill would allow individuals who donate an organ while alive to deduct up to $10,000 in unreimbursed expenses related to the donation. These expenses include travel, lodging, lost wages, and medical costs. The deduction could only be used once in a lifetime and would not reduce taxable income below zero.
“Living organ donors make an extraordinary decision to help save another person’s life, and they should not be left to shoulder unavoidable costs for doing so,” Culver said. “Senate Bill 124 is a practical way to reduce a barrier we know exists and to support Pennsylvanians who step forward in an act of incredible generosity.”
Current law in Pennsylvania provides a tax credit for employers offering paid leave when employees donate organs or bone marrow. However, this new bill focuses on helping the living donors themselves with their direct costs.
Culver also spoke on the Senate floor in support of designating April as Pennsylvania Donate Life Month. She discussed the positive impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation while encouraging more people to register as donors.
A full video of the press conference can be found on Senator Culver’s website.
