What's happening
This bill requires New York's pre-licensing driver's education course to include information on organ and tissue donation and registration.
Why it matters
Raises awareness about organ and tissue donation. by ensuring all driver’s license applicants are educated on the subject, potentially increasing the number of registered donors and saving more lives.
Makes registration easier and more accessible. by informing new drivers exactly how to sign up as an organ donor, addressing a common barrier of lack of knowledge or confusion about the process.
Integrates a public health initiative into a routine civic process. , leveraging the high participation rate in driver’s licensing to reach a broad cross-section of New Yorkers, especially young adults.
Could lead to long-term cultural shifts. around organ donation, as normalizing this information in a mandatory educational setting may reduce stigma and encourage family discussions about donation wishes.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Add Organ Donation to Drivers Ed
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Teach Organ Donation in Driving
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5368
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 29, 2019
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring the pre-licensing course to include information on organ and tissue donation and how to register as an organ donor
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 4 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 355 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
(i) Upon submission of an application for a driver's license, the applicant shall be required to take and pass a test, or submit evidence of passage of a test, with respect to the laws relating to traffic, the laws relating to driving while ability is impaired and while intoxicated, under the overpowering influence of "Road Rage", "Work Zone Safety" awareness and "Motorcycle Safety" awareness as defined by the commissioner, the law relating to exercising due care to avoid colliding with a parked, stopped or standing authorized emergency vehicle or hazard vehicle pursuant to section eleven hundred forty-four-a of this chapter, the ability to read and comprehend traffic signs and symbols and such other matters as the commissioner may prescribe, and to satisfactorily complete a course prescribed by the commissioner of not less than four hours and not more than five hours, consisting of classroom driver training and highway safety instruction or the equivalent thereof, and shall also include information on organ and tissue donation and how to register as an organ donor. Such test shall include at least seven written questions concerning the effects of consumption of alcohol or drugs on the ability of a person to operate a motor vehicle and the legal and financial consequences resulting from violations of section eleven hundred ninety-two of this chapter, prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Such test
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10276-01-9
S. 5368 2
shall include one or more written questions concerning the devastating effects of "Road Rage" on the ability of a person to operate a motor vehicle and the legal and financial consequences resulting from assaulting, threatening or interfering with the lawful conduct of another person legally using the roadway. Such test shall include one or more questions concerning the potential dangers to persons and equipment resulting from the unsafe operation of a motor vehicle in a work zone. Such test may include one or more questions concerning motorcycle safety. Such test may include one or more questions concerning the law for exercising due care to avoid colliding with a parked, stopped or standing vehicle pursuant to section eleven hundred forty-four-a of this chapter. Such test shall be administered by the commissioner. The commissioner shall cause the applicant to take a vision test and a test for color blindness. Upon passage of the vision test, the application may be accepted and the application fee shall be payable.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring the pre-licensing course to include information on organ and tissue donation and how to register as an organ donor
Purpose
This bill would include information about organ and tissue donation and about how to register as an organ donor in the course required in order receiving a New York State driver's license.
Summary of provisions
This bill amends subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 4 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 97 of the laws of 2016 to read as follows: Upon submission of an application for a driver's license, the applicant shall be required to take and pass a test, or submit evidence of passage of a test, with respect to the laws relating to traffic, the laws relating to driving while ability is impaired and while intoxicate, under the overpowering influence of "road rage", or "work zone safety" and law relating to exercising due care to avoid colliding with a parked, stopped or standing authorized emergency vehicle or hazard vehicle pursuant to section eleven hundred forty-four-a of this chapter, the ability to read and comprehend traffic signs and symbols and such matters as the commissioner of not less than four hours and not more than five hours, consisting of classroom driver training and highway safety instruction or the equivalent thereof, and shall also include information on organ and tissue donation and how to register as an organ donor.
Justification
There are currently over 10,000 candidates waiting for organ donations in New York State and every year over 3,000 candidates are added to the waiting list. The supply of available organs falls well short of meeting the needs of these candidates, and New York is working to educate people and increase the number of people registered as organ donors. One of the more successful efforts to increase donation consent rates has been Lauren's Law which provides an opportunity to register as a donor as part of a Department of Motor Vehicle application for a driver's license. Becoming a licensed driver already requires that an applicant take a 5 hour course on various aspects of driving and this bill requires that the course include information on organ and tissue donation and how to register. Including this information as part of the driving course is appropriate and justified so that people become more familiar and knowledgeable about this important issue and decision. This bill seeks to bolster the number of registered organ donors among New York state drivers by creating greater awareness of the registration process and the vital role organ donation plays in saving the lives of others.
Legislative history
2015-2016: A10338- Referred to Transportation 2017: A.7549 - Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
January 1st after enactment.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.