New Organ Donation Act Signed By Massachusetts’ Governor

On February 22, Massachusetts’ Governor Deval Partrick signed “An Act Relative to a Uniform Anatomical Gift Act.” The Act will update that Massachusetts’ Uniform Anatomical Gift Act which will help promote organ donation.  The aim is to facilitate organ donation across state lines and increase the number of organs available to Massachusetts residents. To help achieve this goal, the Act aligns with the state laws of neighboring states.

Amendments to the UAGA contain new requirements for the Registry of Motor Vehicles. These new requirements include, a description of the donor registry and UAGA in every license and registration renewal office, that option to donate to the Organ and Tissue Donor Registration Fund on all license and renewal forms, the development of an organ donation registry on the RMV website, and discussions of the organ donation system during all required driver education and training courses.   

See Governor Signs Organ Donation Bill, MetroWest Daily News, Feb. 22, 2012.