The new "presumed consent" law would automatically enroll everyone who applies for a driver license into the state's organ and tissue donation registry unless the applicant declines to be registered. Read the actual bill here.
There are a number of interesting questions here, not the least of which involves the significant paternalistic overtones of the proposed policy. Then there are questions of socio-economic equity: it is easy to think that those with poorer and/or less-educated backgrounds will be less likely to know about opting out and therefore less able to do so.
Regardless of whether this bill makes it to law, it is sure to raise consciousness about the severe need for donor organs, so it's pleasing to see both supporters and detractors discussing ways to increase organ donation.
