Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) is proud to support Assembly Bill A.7011, which seeks to amend the Public Health Law to allow individuals to register in the “Donate Life Registry” as organ, eye or tissue donors when electronically filing their state income taxes.

New York state has one of the lowest organ donor registration rates in the nation, despite having an increasingly high demand for life-saving transplants. Nearly 8,000 New Yorkers are currently waiting for an organ transplant, and each year, hundreds tragically die because a suitable donor was not found in time.

Smullen and other state legislators assert that while New York state has made progress in increasing donor registration through the DMV, voter registration, health care exchanges and student financial aid applications, the state could still be doing more to improve outreach. The state’s yearly tax filing process reaches millions of residents across diverse demographics, making it a highly effective tool for promoting organ donation awareness and participation.

“Creating the option for New Yorkers to register as donors and participate in the New York State Donate Life program while completing their income tax filings is a common-sense, easy way to help save lives,” said Smullen. “We must continue to create as many avenues as possible to encourage and improve the process for New Yorkers to register as organ, eye and/or tissue donors so the number of donors in the NYS Donate Life program continues to increase.

“My late son, Alexander John ‘AJ’ Smullen, courageously gave the ultimate gift by participating in the Donate Life program and donating to five families in need—that is five less families who might have lost a loved one had they not received a donation in time. I will continue to collaborate with my legislative colleagues across both sides of the aisle to expand the New York State Donate Life program. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in this program, register to become a donor today. Together, we can make a difference and help save lives,” concluded Smullen.

For more information on Assembly Bill A.7011, please click here.

To register as a donor and join the New York State Donate Life program, please click here.