Enacts Lauren's law in relation to mandatory registration or declination of registration in the organ donor registry

6 Co-sponsors

• Jeffrey D. Klein
• Liz Krueger
• Bill Perkins
• Diane J. Savino
• Toby Ann Stavisky
• David J. Valesky

BILL NUMBER:S3885A REVISED 06/20/11

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to directing the commissioner of health to ensure that space is provided on any consent application so that the applicant shall register or decline registration in the New York state donate life registry for organ and tissue donations

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this legislation is to change existing law so that individuals who apply for a New York State Drivers License must complete the section of the application as it pertains to the organ donor registry. The applicant must check the box for either "yes", "no" or "not at this time" under the organ donor registry section of the application. The state shall not keep any records of any persons who choose "no" or "not at this time".

Summary of specific provisions

This bill would amend provisions of the vehicle and traffic law:

§1 This act shall be known and may be cited as "Lauren's Law".

§2 Subdivision 1 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 639 of the laws of 2006, is amended to change the license application procedures to require the commissioner ensure that space is provided on the application so that the applicant shall register or decline registration in the New York State donate life registry for organ and tissue donations. However, the State is not required to keep any record of any persons choosing to decline registration in the New York State donate life registry.

Justification

According to the New York State Organ Donor Network, New York state currently has the lowest Donor Designation Rate (DCR) in the United States. In total, only 11% of eligible donors are currently enrolled in The New York State Organ and Tissue Registry.

This number starkly contrasts to the national average of 4.3%. In some states, such as Utah and Iowa, the DDR ranges between 55-70%. This bill will create a new model for organ and tissue donation that is aimed at significantly increasing that percentage while taking into consideration all of the individual rights of persons to decline enrollment into the program.

Prior legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective pate

This act shall take effect on the one hundred and twentieth day after it shall have become a law.