(a) For the purposes of this subchapter, the term “human body parts” means any portion of a living human body, including, but not limited to, organs, tissues, eyes, bones, veins, and arteries, except that the term shall not mean hair and blood.
(b) It is unlawful for any person in the District of Columbia to buy, to offer to buy, to sell, to offer to sell, or to procure through purchase any human body part for any reason, including, but not limited to, medical and specific uses, such as transplantation, implantation, infusion, or injection.
CREDIT(S)
(Mar. 16, 1985, D.C. Law 5-189, § 2, 32 DCR 931; Apr. 15, 2008, D.C. Law 17-145, § 30(c), 55 DCR 2532.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 6-2601.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 17-145, in subsec. (a), substituted “a living human body” for “a human body”.
Legislative History of Laws
Law 5-189, the “Prohibition of the Buying and Selling of Human Body Parts Act of 1984,” was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 5-398, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on December 4, 1984, and December 18, 1984, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on January 11, 1985, it was assigned Act No. 5-254 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review.
Law 17-145, the “Uniform Anatomical Gift Revision Act of 2008”, was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No.17-58 which was referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Judiciary. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on January 8, 2008, and February 5, 2008, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on February 25, 2008, it was assigned Act No. 17-311 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 17-145 became effective on April 15, 2008.