TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and Joseph F. Vitale that requires the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to share donor information with federally-approved organ donation agencies was signed into law today by Governor Richard J. Codey.
“This new law will ease the organ donation process, and do a better job of connecting potential donors to the people who so desperately need a second chance at life,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “The decision to become an organ donor is one to give the gift of life to a perfect stranger. Organ donation does not have to be a long, drawn out process, and by eliminating a lot of the bureaucratic red tape involved, hospitals can make sure that patients receive the organs they need sooner.”
“Acting Governor Codey has signed into law a piece of legislation that will bridge the gap between the MVC and organ donation agencies to help expedite the donation process.” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, who Chairs the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “In organ donation, time is one of the primary factors that will determine the outcome of a patient’s life.”
The Senators’ measure, S-1760, calls upon the Chief Administrator of the MVC to provide access to an up-to-date list of registered organ donors to the federal organ donor agencies that serve the New Jersey area.
Under State law, the MVC is required to maintain a database consisting of information on every licensed-organ donor in New Jersey. This new law will require the information to be shared with organ donation agencies.
Under the bill, the MVC will also be required to establish an annual education program for the agency employees and personnel designed to focus on the benefits of organ and tissue donation, on the specifics of the State’s program and how the employees can better inform the public about donation.
