New Jersey Senate Bill S1135

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Provides for opting out of organ and tissue donation.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would amend relevant statutes surrounding motor vehicle laws to integrate this new approach to organ donation. The legislation would automatically enroll individuals aged 18 and older in the Donate Life NJ Registry, thus streamlining the process of organ donation and potentially resolving organ shortages. The bill is expected to prompt a significant cultural shift towards organ donation, as many individuals may not take the active steps to register when they could simply be designated as donors by default unless they choose otherwise.

Summary

Bill S1135 proposes a significant change to New Jersey's organ donation system by shifting from an 'opt-in' to an 'opt-out' framework. Under the current law, individuals must actively choose to become organ donors while applying for or renewing their motor vehicle license or identification card. The new legislation would mean that all individuals are automatically considered organ donors unless they explicitly choose to opt out of this designation. This change is aimed at increasing the availability of organs for transplantation by encouraging more residents to participate in the organ donation system.

Contention

The proposed change has raised contention regarding consent and the ethical implications of presumed consent for organ donation. Critics of the bill argue that such a system could undermine personal autonomy and individual rights by presuming individuals wish to donate their organs without their explicit consent. Supporters counter that the reform is necessary to boost organ availability and save lives, arguing that most people support organ donation in principle but fail to register. The outcome of this legislation will require public discussion, addressing both the ethical concerns and the potential public health benefits from increased organ availability.