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BILL NUMBER:S6148B



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" or "not at this time" under the organ donor registry section of the application.

SUMMARy OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: This bill would amend provisions of the vehicle and traffic law:

º1 This act shall be known and may be cited as "Lauren's Law".

º2 Subdivision I 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.

JUSTIFICATION: According to the New York State Organ Donor Network, New York State currently has the lowest Donor Designation Rate (DDR) 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 43%,_ In some states, such as Utah and Iowa, the DDR ranges between 65-709,7. 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 DATE: This act shall take effect on the one hundred and twentieth day.

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