Bill 46 2008

An Act to amend the Education Act with respect to education on organ donation

Note: This Act amends the Education Act.  For the legislative history of the Act, see the Table of Consolidated Public Statutes – Detailed Legislative History on www.e-Laws.gov.on.ca.

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

   1.  (1)  Subsection 8 (1) of the Education Act is amended by adding the following paragraph:

organ donation education

  28.  establish an organ donation education policy framework and require boards to include education on the importance of organ donation in the curriculum of students in the senior division such that every student receiving their Ontario Secondary School Diploma will have learned of the importance of organ donation;

   (2)  Section 8 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Organ donation education, exception

   (2.2)  The organ donation education policy framework established under paragraph 28 of subsection (1) shall include a provision that permits the exemption of students from education on the importance of organ donation on the basis of,

  (a)  religious belief;

  (b)  cultural beliefs or prohibitions; or

   (c)  similar personal reasons.

Commencement

   2.  This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

   3.  The short title of this Act is the Education Amendment Act (Organ Donation Education), 2008.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the Education Act by permitting the Minister to establish an organ donation education policy framework and to require that boards include education on the importance of organ donation in the curriculum of students in the senior division such that every student, subject to certain exceptions, receiving their Ontario Secondary School Diploma will have learned of the importance of organ donation.