KIDNEY DONATION BY WARD WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

Tex. HEALTH & SAFETY Code ch. 613

in effect

Tex. HEALTH & SAFETY Code § 613.001. DEFINITION.

In this chapter, "ward with an intellectual disability" means a ward who is a person with an intellectual disability, as defined by Subtitle D. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.

Tex. HEALTH & SAFETY Code § 613.002. COURT ORDER AUTHORIZING KIDNEY DONATION.

A district court may authorize the donation of a kidney of a ward with an intellectual disability to a father, mother, son, daughter, brother, or sister of the ward if: (1) the guardian of the ward with an intellectual disability consents to the donation; (2) the ward is 12 years of age or older; (3) the ward assents to the kidney transplant; (4) the ward has two kidneys; (5) without the transplant the donee will soon die or suffer severe and progressive deterioration, and with the transplant the donee will probably benefit substantially; (6) there are no medically preferable alternatives to a kidney transplant for the donee; (7) the risks of the operation and the long-term risks to the ward are minimal; (8) the ward will not likely suffer psychological harm; and (9) the transplant will promote the ward's best interests. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.

Tex. HEALTH & SAFETY Code § 613.003. PETITION FOR COURT ORDER.

The guardian of the person of a ward with an intellectual disability may petition a district court having jurisdiction of the guardian for an order authorizing the ward to donate a kidney under Section 613.002 . Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.

Tex. HEALTH & SAFETY Code § 613.004. COURT HEARING.

(a) The court shall hold a hearing on the petition filed under Section 613.003 . (b) A party to the proceeding is entitled on request to a preferential setting for the hearing. (c) The court shall appoint an attorney ad litem and a guardian ad litem to represent the interest of the ward with an intellectual disability. Neither person appointed may be related to the ward within the second degree by consanguinity. (d) The hearing must be adversary in order to secure a complete record, and the attorney ad litem shall advocate the ward's interest, if any, in not being a donor. (e) The petitioner has the burden of establishing good cause for the kidney donation by establishing the prerequisites prescribed by Section 613.002 . Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.

Tex. HEALTH & SAFETY Code § 613.005. INTERVIEW AND EVALUATION ORDER BY COURT.

(a) Before the eighth day after the date of the hearing, the court shall interview the ward with an intellectual disability to determine if the ward assents to the donation. The interview shall be conducted in chambers and out of the presence of the guardian. (b) If the court considers it necessary, the court may order the performance of a determination of intellectual disability, as provided by Section 593.005 , to help the court evaluate the ward's capacity to agree to the donation. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 60, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Source: TX Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Fetched: 6/29/2026