Texas Senate Bill SB517

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to registration as an organ donor at the time of motor vehicle registration.

Impact

The enactment of SB517 is expected to enhance organ donation rates by simplifying the registration process at a time when individuals are already engaged in administrative tasks related to their motor vehicle. This could lead to a more efficient organ donation system in Texas, potentially saving lives by increasing the number of registered donors. Additionally, the bill may raise public awareness about the importance of organ donation, encouraging more people to consider it while handling other important civic responsibilities.

Summary

Senate Bill 517 proposes the integration of organ donor registration into the motor vehicle registration process in Texas. Under this bill, offices authorized to issue motor vehicle registrations would be required to ask individuals whether they would like to register as organ donors. If a person opts to register, their personal information would be provided to the designated nonprofit organization for inclusion in the statewide donor registry. The intent is to streamline the process of becoming an organ donor and increase the number of individuals registered as such.

Contention

While SB517 presents a proactive approach to encouraging organ donation, there might be concerns regarding privacy and the handling of personal data during the registration process. Critics could argue that not everyone may feel comfortable discussing organ donation in a transactional setting, such as a vehicle registration office. Moreover, there could be questions regarding the adequacy of the non-profit’s capabilities to securely manage and protect the information collected from registrants.