Kentucky Enacts 'Pause' Law to Protect Organ Donors

New legislation requires medical providers to halt procedures if any signs of life are observed during organ harvesting.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:54pm

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A translucent, ghostly X-ray image of a human heart, glowing faintly against a dark background, conceptually representing the importance of patient safety and transparency in organ donation.An X-ray view of a living, beating heart underscores the critical need to protect organ donors and ensure the integrity of the transplant process.Frankfort Today

Kentucky has passed a new law, House Bill 510, that standardizes a 'pause in procedure' during the organ procurement process. The law was proposed after a 2021 incident where a Kentucky man's organs were nearly harvested while he was still alive. The legislation requires medical providers to stop the procedure immediately if any indication of life is observed from the donor.

Why it matters

The new 'pause' law aims to improve safety and transparency in Kentucky's organ donation system, following a high-profile case that sparked federal investigations and congressional hearings. The law is part of a broader effort to reform the national organ transplant system and rebuild public trust.

The details

House Bill 510 mandates that if any medical provider observes any sign of life from the donor during organ harvesting, the procedure must be immediately halted. This 'pause in procedure' was proposed after a 2021 incident where a Kentucky man, TJ Hoover, was nearly harvested for his organs while he was still alive and responsive.

  • In October 2024, Nyckoletta Martin witnessed Hoover 'thrashing around, crying, trying to pull his tube out' just before the scheduled organ harvesting procedure.
  • On April 7, 2026, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 510 into law, standardizing the 'pause in procedure' requirement statewide.
  • On April 9, 2026, the organ procurement organization Network for Hope announced its support for the new law and commitment to implementing the reforms.

The players

TJ Hoover

A Kentucky man whose organs were nearly harvested in 2021 while he was still alive and responsive.

Donna Rhorer

Hoover's sister, who said the family made the decision to remove him from life support because he was 'brain dead'.

Nyckoletta Martin

A witness who observed Hoover 'thrashing around, crying, trying to pull his tube out' just before the scheduled organ harvesting procedure.

Jason Nemes

The Republican Majority Whip in the Kentucky House of Representatives, who sponsored House Bill 510.

Barry Massa

The CEO of the organ procurement organization Network for Hope, which supports the new 'pause' law.

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What they’re saying

“We were told TJ had no reflexes, no responses, no brainwaves, no brain activity. We made the decision as a family to remove him from life support because, you know, he was brain dead.”

— Donna Rhorer, Hoover's sister

“He was thrashing around, crying, trying to pull his tube out. He was pushing everybody's hands away who were trying to prep and drape him for surgery.”

— Nyckoletta Martin, Witness

“Part of improving organ donation safety in the Commonwealth means strengthening existing safeguards to better protect organ donors. Implementing a mandatory pause in the procedure process when changes in a patient's medical status arise would further ensure organ donations are conducted responsibly and safely.”

— Jason Nemes, Kentucky House Majority Whip

“Organ donation is a remarkable and life-saving gift that allows thousands of individuals each year to receive life-sustaining transplants and offers hope to patients and families. House Bill 510 highlights the importance of public trust, transparency, and ethical and clinical standards that prioritize patient safety and human dignity. These are goals Network for Hope shares.”

— Barry Massa, CEO of Network for Hope

What’s next

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced it will begin reforming the national organ transplant system following the findings from the federal investigation into the Hoover case. Kentucky's new 'pause' law is part of this broader overhaul effort.

The takeaway

The passage of Kentucky's 'pause' law underscores the critical need to prioritize patient safety and restore public trust in the organ donation process. This legislation serves as a model for other states seeking to strengthen safeguards and ensure organ harvesting procedures are conducted with the utmost care and transparency.