New Jerseyans getting their driver’s licenses would have to answer whether they want to be an organ donor under a measure that received final legislative approval Monday.
The Assembly voted 72-6 in favor of the bill, which was approved by the Senate in March.
The measure would require people applying for or renewing driver’s licenses and identification cards to state whether they want to be a donor and mandate that high schools teach about organ donation, beginning with the 2009-10 school year.
Howard M. Nathan, president and CEO of the Gift of Life Donor Program, said New Jersey would be the first state to impose such requirements.
The bill needs only Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s signature to become law, but Corzine has not taken a position on it.
“The governor looks forward to reviewing the bill when it crosses his desk,” Corzine spokesman Jim Gardner said.
Many states ask license and identification applicants if they want to be an organ donor, but they don’t have to answer.
Under New Jersey’s measure, if a person wants to be an organ donor, their status would appear on their license and be maintained in a state registry.
They could also designate someone who would make the decision on their behalf.
Those who decide against organ donation would have to acknowledge reviewing information about it.
(Source: WNBC)
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4 Responses
They have been asking you in Ohio for years if you want to be an organ donor, so NJ is not the forst state to do this.
this is great! (just as long as you still have the option to say no). More widespread education about organ donation will hopefully take the pressure off of those who have moral, religious or cultural reasons not to. B”H we have the right to choose on this one…
Who will determine what organs?
3- in most states, yes, and in many states, the family can overturn the patient’s organ donation wishes anyway… just like they can overturn a dnr.