Senator Gallivan Introduces Legislation to Make It Easier to Become an Organ Donor

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) has introduced legislation to encourage residents to become organ and tissue donors.  The bill would amend New York's vehicle and traffic law, providing applicants for driver's licenses, learner permits and identification cards the opportunity to opt-out if they do not want to be considered for the donor program. 

Almost 10,000 New Yorkers need a life-saving organ trans-plant. New Yorkers make up 10% of the national organ transplant waiting list. Each year, almost 500 New Yorkers die because an organ does not come in time to save their lives.

"Organ donation provides an opportunity to help others and the more people who participate in the program, the more lives will be saved," Senator Gallivan said.  "This legislation will make it easier for residents to become organ donors by having them opt out of organ donation rather than opting in to the organ donation registry."

The bill also affords veterans of the United States armed forces the opportunity to request a special notation on their license identifying them as such.