TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey and Senate Republican Leader Thomas H. Kean, Jr., which would help increase the availability of potential blood donors, was approved today by the full Senate. Bill S-2513, approved by a vote of 37 to 0, would lower the legal age to donate blood to 16 with parental consent.
“For too long New Jersey has had to rely on the generosity of out-of-state volunteers to help meet our blood donor needs,” said Sen. Codey (D-Essex). “This bill will help increase the pool of potential donors and hopefully save lives. If you’re considered mature enough to start driving at 16 with parental supervision, I think the same can certainly be true for blood donations.”