Legislature weighs organ donation bill

The New York State Senate recently passed legislation that would, if passed by the Assembly and signed by the governor, require people to indicate on their driver’s license applications whether they wish to become organ donors.

The legislation, announced recently by Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr., a Republican from Merrick, is intended to increase the number of organ and tissue donors in the state.

“One person can save up to eight lives by donating their organs,” said Fuschillo. “Raising awareness about organ donation and making it easier for residents to become organ donors will help give the gift of life that thousands of people desperately need.”

Currently, while there is an organ donation section listed on driver’s license applications, it is not required to be filled out. In New York, more than 9,300 people are on the list for organ transplants.

According to Fuschillo, New York ranked last in the nation in organ donation in 2009, signing up 11 percent (or 427,562) of the 3.8 million people who received driver’s licenses or non-driver’s identification cards. In contrast, the national average is 43 percent.

The legislation is named “Lauren’s Law” after 11-year-old Lauren Shields, a Stony Point resident who was the victim of a heart virus that caused her to gradually weaken to the point that she was kept alive only by cardiac and respiratory life support. She received a healthy donor heart, and following the transplant has made the road to recovery. She has since become an advocate to make it easier for children and adults awaiting transplants to receive donor organs more quickly.

Lauren’s Law would prohibit a driver's license application from being processed unless the organ donation section is filled out. Applicants would have to check a box stating “yes,” or “not at this time.”

The legislation has been sent to the Assembly for consideration.

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