Glory’s Law, sponsored by state Sen. Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho), unanimously passed the House Health and Human Services Committee Wednesday.
The bill, officially Senate Bill 71, received bipartisan support at the committee level. It would prohibit discrimination against transplant recipients based solely on a physical or mental disability. “Glory’s Law” is named after the daughter of Christy Sellers and is a proactive measure to prevent what has happened in other states from happening in New Mexico.
“I heard about a story in another state where a baby was denied a kidney transplant solely based on that child having Down syndrome,” Sellers said at a press conference about the bill in January. “So immediately I wanted to find out how our state stood on that and right now, we don’t have any laws in place to protect people with disabilities. Should they need a transplant, they could be denied solely based on having Down syndrome, solely based on being deaf. These are things that don’t affect their quality of life or make them any less worthy.”
“I want to thank my fellow legislators for understanding the importance of this bill for those living with mental or physical disabilities. I am proud to stand for Glory, a constituent of mine with down syndrome, and the thousands like her who may otherwise not receive lifesaving treatment without this bill,” Brandt said in a statement Wednesday. “Life is beautiful and every life deserves equal treatment under the law.”
The bill will now be referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
