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House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	December 21, 2018 09:38 AM
From:	Representative Joseph A. Petrarca
To:	All House members
Subject:	Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund

Pennsylvania has always been at the forefront of the implementation and promotion of organ donation. With the recent passage of Act 90 of 2018, the Commonwealth’s organ donation program has received a much-needed update, but additional legislation needs to be enacted. As you may know, the previously established Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund (Fund), plays a vital role in promoting organ donation in our state. Among other things, this Fund pays for funeral expenses of donors, and provides for grants for the development and implementation of programs to encourage donation. Monies for this Fund are derived primarily from optional check-off box contributions included on driver’s license and vehicle registration application and renewal forms. Since this Fund has been in financial distress in recent years, Act 90 of 2018 increased the voluntary contribution amount from $1 to $3. However, this act did not take into account recent changes made to Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes allowing for biennial vehicle registrations. My legislation would address this oversight by increasing the optional organ donation check-off contribution for biennial vehicle registration applications and renewals from three dollars to six dollars to ensure that the intent of Act 90 to stabilize the Fund is achieved. I hope you will join me in supporting the important work of the Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund.

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