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History
- Referred to transportation
Full text
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Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the public health law, in relation to distribution of health care proxy, and organ and tissue donation information
Purpose
Directs distribution of health care proxy and organ donation information with mailings of license and registration renewals.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new section 397-c to provide for the distribution of health care proxy, and organ and tissue donation information in license and vehicle registration mailings. The Department of Motor Vehicle shall distribute such information as prepared by the Department of Health. The Department of Motor Vehicle shall conduct the mailings for the entire calendar year once every four years as determined on a calendar basis set by the commissioner. Included in such mailings shall be information regarding the manner in which to enroll in the donate life registry. All mailings shall include the address and link to the internet website of the department of health that provides information on health care proxies and the donate life registry.
Section 2. Amends section 206 of the public health law by adding a new subdivision 27 to require that the commissioner of health operate and maintain a website that includes information on health care proxies and the donate life registry on the Health Department's website.
Existing law
None.
Justification
In recent years, end-of-life decision making has garnered significant attention with respect to the need to adequately prepare for health care situations leading up to death. It is of great importance that such decisions come prior to any situation that might leave New Yorkers incapable of making informed decisions - without which, such a situation could lead to family strife and extensive litigation. People want to, and should have, their health care wishes honored. Yet a large majority of New York residents do not have a health care proxy and have not relayed their wishes to loved ones regarding organ donation.
Therefore, it is important for the State of New York to establish a variety of ways to provide individuals with accurate information regarding health care proxy forms and organ donation. Instructions for duly perfecting health care proxies is important in order to increase the number of people who complete this document accurately and effectively. Literature regarding organ donation is significant in providing individuals with information about the profound impact such a measure can have on others' lives, and the necessity of educated consideration prior to donation. To that end, the Department of Motor Vehicles, which periodically sends mailings to many residents of the state, can be a natural conduit of this information.
Legislative history
None. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
To be determined.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.