American Kidney Fund Commends Tennessee for Enacting Paid Leave and Insurance Protections for Living Organ Donors

ROCKVILLE, MD. (April 27, 2026) - The American Kidney Fund (AKF) applauds Tennessee for passing legislation (HB 427/ SB 579) that provides paid medical leave to full-time state employees for the purpose of donating an organ. The legislation also prohibits life, disability and long-term care insurers from denying coverage, raising premiums or canceling policies solely because someone is a living organ donor. Gov. Bill Lee signed the legislation into law on April 23. 

The bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Raumesh Akbari and Rep. Harold Love, Jr., requires that eligible employees be granted four weeks of paid leave for recovery from surgery related to a living organ donation. By enacting HB 427/SB 579, Tennessee becomes the 38th state in the country to pass legislation that mandates life, disability and long-term care insurance protections for living organ donors. Expanding these protections at the state and federal level has been an integral part of AKF's policy agenda. AKF played a leading role in the advancement of HB 427/SB 579, including providing written testimony and meeting with legislators.

"When someone makes the selfless decision to give a kidney to someone in need, they should be supported in that choice," said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. "We thank Sen. Akbari and Rep. Love for introducing this critical legislation to help ensure that living donors in Tennessee receive the support they deserve when they give the gift of life." 

AKF's State of the States: Living Donor Protection Report Card grades states on seven categories of publicly reported legislation and regulations they have in place to protect living organ donors and encourage living donations. Without federal legislation to protect living donors, there is an uneven patchwork of protections across the nation, with some states providing no protections at all. With the passage of HB 427/SB 579, Tennessee's grade improves from an F to a C — the baseline grade for all states if a federal Living Donor Protection Act were passed.

Most transplanted organs come from deceased donors, but patients can also receive organs from living donors. Living donor transplants generally present fewer complications than deceased donor transplants and typically survive longer than deceased donor organs.

"Living organ donors represent the very best of who we are — people willing to give of themselves so someone else can have a second chance at life," said Sen. Akbari. "This legislation ensures we are standing with them every step of the way, from recovery to protection against discrimination. I'm grateful to have partnered with Rep. Love and the American Kidney Fund to pass a bill that reflects our shared commitment to compassion, dignity, and doing what's right for Tennessee families."

There are more than 100,000 Americans on the organ transplant waiting list and almost 90% are waiting for a kidney. Last year, living donors made about 1 in 4 kidney transplants possible. In Tennessee, there are currently more than 2,700 people on the kidney transplant waiting list; last year 123 of the 851 kidney transplants performed were from living donors.

"I'm well aware of the importance of encouraging more people to become living organ donors," said Rep. Harold Love, Jr. "My hope is that by providing additional recuperative time off, as well as more information on how transformative donating can be — not just for those needing the transplant but also how impactful it can be for the donor, we can create an opportunity for more people to take part in this life-changing experience."

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.