American Kidney Fund Applauds Louisiana for Supporting Living Organ Donors by Enacting Job-Protected Leave

ROCKVILLE, MD. (June 4, 2026) - The American Kidney Fund (AKF) commends Louisiana for passing SB 409, legislation that provides job-protected paid leave for state employees and job-protected unpaid leave for private employees who become living organ donors. This program will help living donors in Louisiana take time off work to donate an organ and recover from surgery without fearing they will lose their job. Gov. Jeff Landry signed the legislation into law on May 29.  

AKF played a leading role in advancing SB 409 by working with state Sen. Brach Myers and Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, the bill's primary sponsors. In addition, AKF organized advocates, who also helped raise awareness about the need for this legislation in the media. 

"The decision to give a kidney to save someone's life is a selfless act that should be protected and supported," said Lavarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. "No living donor should have to worry about losing their job because they chose to give the gift of life. We are grateful to Sen. Myers and Rep. Hilferty for working with us to advance this legislation and for their commitment to ensuring that living donors have the protections they deserve." 

Increasing living donor protections is a critical part of AKF's policy agenda. Since 2021, AKF has released an annual State of the States: Living Donor Protection Report Card, which grades states on seven categories of publicly reported legislation and regulations they have in place to protect living organ donors and encourage living organ donations. With the absence of federal legislation to protect living donors, there is an uneven patchwork of protections across the nation, with some states providing no protections at all. By passing SB 409, Louisiana's grade improves from a D to a B. 

"No one who steps forward to save a life should have to fear losing their job or financial stability," said Sen. Myers. "SB 409 removes a real barrier for living organ donors and sends a clear message that Louisiana stands with donors, patients and families. I'm proud to help advance legislation that honors that courage and protects those who give the gift of life."

While most transplanted kidneys come from deceased donors, patients can also receive kidneys from living donors. Living donor transplants are considered the best treatment option for people in kidney failure because they generally present fewer complications and typically function longer than deceased donor organs. Living donors also increase the existing organ supply, which ensures more deceased organs are available to people on the transplant waitlist. 

There are more than 100,000 Americans on the national organ transplant waitlist and almost 90% are waiting for a kidney. In Louisiana, there are over 1,800 people waiting for a kidney transplant. Out of the 455 kidney transplants that were performed in Louisiana in 2025, 82 came from living donors.

AKF provides long-term financial assistance that makes transplants and post-transplant care possible for low-income dialysis patients. In 2025, AKF grants helped 1,673 people nationwide receive kidney transplants — roughly 6% of all kidney transplants performed in the United States last year.  AKF's program helps post-transplant patients for their full insurance plan year, ensuring continuity of care.