Today, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) said that he is pleased the governor signed into law a bill which will expand the pool of eligible organ donors by allowing those sixteen and seventeen year olds to register to become an organ donor.

Palmesano co-sponsored the legislation.

“I applaud the governor for signing this important bill that will save lives. This legislation expands the pool of eligible organ donors by allowing people to sign up to make a life-giving choice when they turn sixteen. It puts us in line with 47 other states and gives hope to countless New Yorkers.”

“On behalf of the approximately 10,000 New Yorkers waiting for a transplant, we want to thank Assemblyman Palmesano, his colleagues in the legislature, and the governor for taking this important step toward saving and improving lives through organ and tissue donation. With the passage of this legislation, New York joins 48 other registries, including Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, in allowing individuals under the age of 18 to document their wish to be an organ and tissue donor. Now, sixteen and seventeen year olds will be able to check “yes” and join the NYS Donate Life Registry when visiting the DMV to obtain a learner’s permit, registering to vote, or any other means allowable by the NYS Department of Health. The new law is removing barriers for young adults to fulfill what they feel is an important community responsibility, signing up as an organ and tissue donor. This was a significant change in policy for New York State and a crucial step toward reducing the number of people waiting for their lifesaving transplant,” said Aisha Tator, Executive Director of the New York Alliance for Donation, a statewide non-profit dedicated to ensuring every New Yorker waiting for a transplant receives one.

Palmesano is also pleased that the governor signed an extension of Lauren’s Law earlier this summer. Lauren’s Law is successful legislation which has already sparked an increase in registered organ donors. The law requires people to answer the question of whether or not they want to become an organ donor when they renew or apply for a drivers license. The law is named after tireless organ donation advocate Lauren Shields who received a life-saving heart transplant just before her ninth birthday.

“Extending Lauren’s Law was critical. People are much more likely to become donors if they are required to actively make the choice,” said Palmesano.

Palmesano noted that he and his colleagues still have a lot of work to do to promote organ and tissue donation in New York State. In 2015, more than 500 men, women and children died waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Nearly 10,000 New Yorkers are currently awaiting an organ transplant, more than 1,500 of whom have been waiting longer than five years. He said that while need is high, only 23 percent of New Yorkers are registered organ donors, placing us 51st in the country ahead of only Puerto Rico. The national average is 50 percent, and Montana, the nation’s leading state in organ donation registration rate, is at 87 percent.

“These numbers are simply unacceptable. We can, and must, do better,” said Palmesano.

It is particularly troubling because choosing to donate can make such a dramatic impact.

“A person who donates at the time of their death can save up to eight lives and impact up to 50 others,” said Palmesano. “It is truly amazing. You’re providing someone with a new lease on life and making such a dramatic impact on their family.”

“The issue of organ donation is very personal to me. My sister was a two-time organ transplant recipient, so I have seen firsthand how organ donation can impact someone's life. She was lucky to receive a transplant. Until I became a member of the state legislature I did not realize how abysmal New York's registration numbers were and how many people have been waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. This legislation and Lauren's law are important steps forward to help save lives all across our state.”