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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 11, 2014 03:29 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Donald C. White |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Organ Donor Designation on PA Driver’s License |
| According to the Donate Life America website, more than 123,000 men, women and children currently need organ transplants. Every 10 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list and an average of 18 people die each day due to the lack of available organs for transplant. While 90 percent of Americans say they support donation, only about half of eligible Pennsylvanians have organ donation designated on their driver’s license. Therefore, I plan to reintroduce SB 1305 from last session which would redesign driver’s license and identification card applications to include the question “Do you wish to have organ donor designation printed on your driver’s license.” This question, although it is required to be asked, is not printed on all driver’s license/identification forms. The bill would also require a phrase to be added to all forms stating that “Pennsylvania strongly supports organ and tissue donation because of its life-saving and life-enhancing opportunities.” My legislation is aimed at increasing organ donor designation by altering driver’s license and identification card application forms. However, this proposal is not presumed consent and does not eliminate the choice to not be an organ donor. My hope is that this legislation will lead to a thoughtful discussion on how Pennsylvania can more closely consider options that will help save lives. If you have any questions regarding this legislation, please contact Carlton Logue of my office at 787-8724 or clogue@pasen.gov |
Introduced as SB398