By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey signed into law legislation that would allow organizations registered as blood establishments with the federal United States Food and Drug Administration, to maintain a blood bank if the bank is approved by the Massachusetts Commissioner of the Department of Public Health and the Public Health Council.

Supporters said there are a number of blood banks that operate nationally that currently supply Massachusetts hospitals but may not draw or store blood here. They argued that this legislation is intended to address that inefficiency. Currently only the Red Cross, Center for Blood Research and hospitals are permitted to draw and store blood in the Bay State.

“This bill allows FDA-registered blood banks to operate in Massachusetts,” said sponsor Sen. Barry Finegold (D-Andover). “Establishments like the New York Blood Center provide supply to many hospitals across Massachusetts, but they haven’t been allowed to collect donations here. This legislation changes that.”