New Louisiana bill aims to protect workers who take time off for organ donation

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – A new push at the Louisiana State Capitol is aiming to remove a major barrier to organ donation by protecting workers who choose to save a life.

Baton Rouge attorney Andrea Angee is co-leading the effort, drawing from a deeply personal experience that inspired her advocacy.

In 2020, Angee’s mother went into kidney failure. Determined to help, Angee made the decision to donate one of her own kidneys.

“It’s very difficult to articulate… I just wanted my mother to live,” Angee said.

The procedure and recovery kept her out of work for about four weeks. While Angee said she was fortunate to have an employer who supported her during that time, she says many others may not have that same security.

“Nobody should have to make a choice between saving a life or keeping a job, but that’s the reality that we face right now,” she said.

Angee is now advocating for Senate Bill 409, sponsored by Sen. Brach Myers, which would provide job protection along with paid and unpaid leave for people who choose to become living organ donors.

Supporters say the measure could help increase the number of donors by removing financial and employment risks that often discourage people from stepping forward.

According to advocates, about 2,000 people in Louisiana are currently waiting for a transplant.

Angee believes offering job security could encourage more people, especially those hoping to help loved ones, to consider donation.

“There are many people who are willing to consider living donation, especially if it’s a loved one… they want to step up and save their life,” she said. “But the reality is, they have to question whether they’ll have a job to come back to if they don’t have leave protection.”

She says no one should have to pay a price to save someone’s life, especially when so many are still waiting.

“The moment is now to do it,” Angee said.

You can read the entire bill here.

Click here to report a typo. Please include the headline.

Click here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Watch the latest WAFB news and weather now.