Editing Body Worlds (section)

===United States===
Various legislation has been proposed and enacted in different American states. Most proposals concentrate on issues regarding the sale of human remains and the consent of the donors.

National legislation on consent and tissue donation issues is expressed in the [[Uniform Anatomical Gift Act]] (2006)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anatomicalgiftact.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=63 |title=Anatomical Gift Act |publisher=Anatomical Gift Act |date=26 August 2009 |access-date=25 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923090355/http://www.anatomicalgiftact.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=63 |archive-date=23 September 2010 }}</ref> passed by the [[National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws]] which states that "an anatomical gift of a donor's body or part may be made during the life of the donor for the purpose of transplantation, therapy, research, or education", and prohibits trafficking in donated human organs for profit.

In early 2008, former US Republican Representative [[Todd Akin|W. Todd Akin]] proposed an amendment to the [[Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act]] of 1930<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statesurge.com/bills/69436-hr5677-federal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115004301/http://www.statesurge.com/bills/69436-hr5677-federal |url-status=usurped |archive-date=15 January 2009 |title=Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 |publisher=Statesurge.com |date=16 April 2008 |access-date=25 February 2010}}</ref> to "make it unlawful for a person to import plastinated human remains into the United States." The President of the American Association of Anatomists has expressed concern that the scope of the act is "too broad" and that "Preventing importation of all plastinated specimens could severely restrict their use for medical education."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anatomy.org/Files/private/newsletters/aaa_sept_nl.pdf |title=American Association of Anatomists Newsletter Vol. 17, No. 3, September 2008 |access-date=25 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327110113/http://www.anatomy.org/Files/private/newsletters/aaa_sept_nl.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2009 }}</ref> The bill of amendment was not enacted during the 2007–2008 Congressional session.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-5677 |title=H.R. 5677: To amend the Tariff Act of 1930 |publisher=Govtrack.us |access-date=25 February 2010}}</ref>

====California====
California's proposed bill AB1519 (Ma), sponsored by Assemblywoman [[Fiona Ma]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Ma |url=http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_1501-1550/ab_1519_bill_20080617_amended_sen_v92.html |title=California State bill AB1519 (Ma) |publisher=Leginfo.ca.gov |access-date=25 February 2010}}</ref> tried to "require exhibitors to get a county permit; to do so, they would have to prove to county health officials that the people whose cadavers were on display—or their next of kin—had consented".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-corpse25jan25,0,2070702.story |title=Cadaver shows raise consent concerns – Los Angeles Times |work=Los Angeles Times |date=25 January 2008 |first=Marc |last=Lifsher |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129210804/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-corpse25jan25%2C0%2C2070702.story |archive-date=29 January 2008 }}</ref>

Assembly Bill 1519 would have made California the first state to require such proof.<ref name="californiachronicle.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/71686 |title=Legislation to Regulate Dead Body Exhibits Moves on to The Governor |publisher=Californiachronicle.com |access-date=25 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911144748/http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/71686 |archive-date=11 September 2011 }}</ref> It was vetoed by Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] on 26 September 2008.<ref>[http://leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_1501-1550/ab_1519_bill_20080926_history.html A.B. No. 1519 bill history, from the Government of California]</ref>

====Florida====
The state of [[Florida]] prohibits the sale or purchase of human remains and "Authorizes certain science centers located in this state to transport plastinated bodies into, within, or out of this state and exhibit such bodies for the purpose of public education without the consent of this state's anatomical board if the science center notifies the board of any such transportation or exhibition, as well as the location and duration of any exhibition, at least 30 days before such transportation or exhibition".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.fl.us/cgi-bin/view_page.pl?Tab=session&Submenu=1&FT=D&File=sb2554.html&Directory=session/2007/Senate/bills/billtext/html/ |title=State of Florida Legislation |publisher=Leg.state.fl.us |date=1 July 2007 |access-date=25 February 2010}}</ref> The Museum of Science and History in Jacksonville and the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa have hosted BODY WORLDS exhibitions. 

====Hawaii====
In January 2009, Rep. Marcus Oshiro introduced two bills prompted by presentation of the BODIES Exhibition in that state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starbulletin.com/editorials/20090129_Enact_restrictions_on_cadavers_shown_in_public_exhibits.html |title=Enact restrictions on cadavers shown in public exhibits |publisher=Starbulletin.com |date=29 January 2009 |access-date=25 February 2010}}</ref> HB28 Relating to Dead Human Bodies would add to the prohibition against buying dead human bodies, the selling of dead human bodies and defines the term "dead human body" to include plastinated bodies and body parts. It would increase the fine for buying or selling a dead human body to up to $5,000. HB29 Relating to Dead Human Bodies would prohibit the commercial display of dead human bodies without a permit from the Department of Health.<ref>{{cite web|author=Georgette |url=http://hawaiihouseblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/inspired-by-bodies.html |title=Hawaii House Blog: Inspired by Bodies |publisher=Hawaiihouseblog.blogspot.com |date=23 January 2009 |access-date=25 February 2010}}</ref>

====New York====
In June 2008, [[New York (state)|New York]] State Senate passed legislation regulating body exhibits. A bill that was sponsored by Senator Jim Alesi requires anyone showing an exhibit that uses real human bodies in New York museums to produce a permit detailing their origin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=17741 |title=Rochester Homepage Cracking down on human body exhibits |publisher=Rochesterhomepage.net |date=19 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208180852/http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=17741 | archive-date = 8 February 2009}}</ref> BODY WORLDS was hosted at Discovery Times Square in New York City. 

====Pennsylvania====
Representative [[Mike Fleck]]'s proposed bill would require evidence of informed consent from the decedent or relatives of all humans whose remains are put on display.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2007&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=2299&pn=3339 |title=Pennsylvania bodies exhibit regulatory bill |publisher=Legis.state.pa.us |date=10 March 2008 |access-date=25 February 2010}}</ref> BODY WORLDS exhibitions have been hosted in Philadelphia at the Franklin Institute and in Allentown at the Da Vinci Science Center. 

====Washington====
The state of [[Washington (state)|Washington]] considered a bill that would "require written authorization to display human remains for a commercial purpose".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/Summary.aspx?bill=1253&year=2007 |title=State of Washington Bill Requiring written authorization to display human remains for a commercial purpose |publisher=Apps.leg.wa.gov |access-date=25 February 2010}}</ref>