Guest guest Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 Another new law taking effect on Monday gives more legal weight to choices that people make when they indicate on their driver’s license that they want to be an organ donor. In North Carolina, a small red heart is placed on a driver’s license to indicate the license holder wants to be an organ donor. The sponsor of the new law, Rep. Dale Folwell, R-Forsyth, said that the heart will now prevail when a would-be organ donor enters the final stages of life. He said the need for such a law was brought to his attention last year when a friend of his, who had suffered a massive stroke, did not become an organ donor because of a communication problem. Previously, decisions regarding organ donation would be made by next-of-kin, Folwell said. “It cements in the law what other people already thought when they put their heart on their driver’s license to begin with,” Folwell said. “The purpose of the bill is simply to honor the wishes of the decedent and to save lives.” Folwell said that parents’ wishes would still trump those of an unemancipated minor when it comes to organ donation decisions. And specifications spelled out in what Folwell called a “higher order document,” such as a will or a health care power of attorney, would supersede the organ donor heart on a driver’s license, he said. With love, Barb in Texas - Together in the Fight, Whatever it Takes! Son Ken (33) UC 91 - PSC 99 - Tx 6/21 & 6/30/07 @ Baylor in Dallas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 For the last few years, Kentucky has had a orange sticky dot they give out at the license renewal to put on your license for organ donation. Also the back you sign and have two witnesses sign. But I still think it is up to the family whether your wishes get honored or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 First Person Consent took effect in Illinois on January 1, 2006. At that time, Illinois was the 43rd state to enact First Person Consent. I guess Texas is at least the 44th state. The remaining states, to my knowledge and this info could be old, are Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and New York. McInerney Naperville, IL > > For the last few years, Kentucky has had a orange sticky dot they give out at the license renewal to put on your license for organ donation. Also the back you sign and have two witnesses sign. But I still think it is up to the family whether your wishes get honored or not. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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