Governor Hochul Signs New Bill into Law with LiveOnNY's Advocacy to Expand Organ Donation Education In New York

New law aims to address New York's urgent organ donor shortage by educating the public, as nearly 9,000 New Yorkers await lifesaving transplants 

NEW YORK, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LiveOnNY, the federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) for the New York Metro region, celebrates a significant milestone in furthering its mission to give every New Yorker the opportunity to say 'yes' to organ donation. Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a bill into law (S.2739A/A.8275A), which requires the inclusion of information on registering as an organ and tissue donor in the pre-licensing course for operating a motor vehicle. 

Taking effect May 21, 2025, this landmark legislation aims to further bolster donor registration rates and deepen public understanding of organ donation.  

LiveOnNY was honored by Assemblymember Sam Berger and State Senator Leroy Comrie, who introduced the legislation, in recognition of the organization's advocacy for the bill. The ceremony took place at LiveOnNY's headquarters in NYC.

"Organ donation is critical to preserving life and making people aware of their options is key to increasing participation. LiveOnNY was instrumental in the development and passage of this legislation, issuing a memorandum of support, providing feedback, securing co-sponsors, and mobilizing volunteers to advocate for its approval," said State Senator Leroy Comrie.

This bill builds upon the success of Lauren's Law, named after Lauren Shields, who is now a LiveOnNY staff member. Lauren's Law has increased donor registrations by giving individuals the opportunity to sign up as organ donors when applying for or renewing a driver's license.

"I am excited to see this bill signed into law after years of LiveOnNY's hard work to make this a reality. New Yorkers will now have access to comprehensive information to make informed decisions on the profound impact organ donation can have on saving lives and leaving a legacy of living on," said Assemblymember Sam Berger.

LiveOnNY has worked to turnaround the state of organ donation in the NYC Metro Region since initiating a strategic plan in 2022, which has resulted in an approximately 70% increase in lifesaving gifts over the last three years. LiveOnNY leads the nation in honoring geriatric organ donors, honoring Black organ donors, and successfully placing otherwise overlooked and often discarded kidneys (High KDPI) to patients on the transplant waitlist.

"Incorporating this vital information into the pre-licensing course will help people to make informed decisions about organ donation. LiveOnNY is proud to have played a key role in advocating for this transformative legislation, which will result in lives being honored and saved thanks to the generosity of New Yorkers," said LiveOnNY President and CEO Leonard Achan, RN, MA, ANP. 

ABOUT LIVEONNY
LiveOnNY is a nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) dedicated to saving lives, providing comfort, and strengthening legacies through organ, eye, and tissue donation. The OPO, which was established in 1978, serves a culturally and ethnically diverse population of 13 million residents in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, and Rockland. Working closely with donor hospital and transplant centers, LiveOnNY coordinates organ, eye, and tissue donation for transplant, educates the public and healthcare professionals about donation, and promotes the importance of signing up on the National or New York State Donate Life Registry. LiveOnNY is a member of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), which oversees the organ transplant waiting list in the U.S. For more information, please visit LiveOnNY.org

SOURCE LiveOnNY