The Following was posted on the NJ State home page. It appears that the State of NJ is now demanding that people appltying for their drivers license....to operate a vehicle...must "answer a few simple, yet potentially life-saving questions, regarding organ donation." and "they must check off a box acknowledging that they have reviewed the importance of making an organ donation decision." Ok, I know I'm a little slow...but what the FUCK does donating organs have to do with driving? And what does the State of NJ want to do next to infringe on the privacy and rights of it's citizens.
I for one CANNOT wait to get out of this overtaxed, privacy invading state...you folks who stay here...best of luck to ya.......
ACTING GOVERNOR CODEY SIGNS NEW JERSEY HERO ACT
Establishes State as Pioneer in Organ Donation
LIVINGSTON – Acting Governor Richard J. Codey today signed legislation that forges New Jersey’s standing as a pioneer in organ donation by requiring residents to make organ donation decisions before applying for a driver’s license and requires mandatory organ donation education for high school students.
“Our goal is to generate a collective awareness about the importance of organ donation so that those who want to donate will. Ultimately, we want to move this important conversation out of the emergency room, where illness and injury already create a profound burden, and into the living room, where a thoughtful and deliberate decision can be reached without the pain of loss looming on the horizon. Hopefully, one day organ donation will no longer be an afterthought, but a forethought,” said Acting Governor Codey.
The bill, S755/A2083 also known as the “New Jersey Hero Act,” creates an interactive component to the already existing Donate Life Registry provided by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). Approximately 23.53 % of New Jersey drivers/ID holders currently have the donor designation.
With the legislation every resident 18 years of age or older applying for a driver’s license or identification card is required to answer a few simple, yet potentially life-saving questions, regarding organ donation. If an individual is not ready to make that decision, they may designate a decision maker on their behalf. The designated decision maker component is not recorded in the MVC database, but will act much like a living will. If a person does not wish to become a donor or designate a decision maker on their behalf, they must check off a box acknowledging that they have reviewed the importance of making an organ donation decision. This process will be available in nine months but will not be mandatory for five years in order to allow for adequate public education.
Overall, the measure is a crucial component to increasing the number of organ donors in the Garden State because it alleviates certain fears that the donor decision will affect the quality of care received in an emergency room.
“The death of a loved one can be devastating to a family, but families of organ donors at least have a measure of solace in knowing their loved one’s final act was to give the gift of life to someone else in need,” said Senator Joseph F. Vitale (D-Middlesex), a sponsor of the Hero Act and Chair of the Senate Health Committee. “Through these new laws, we’re raising the dialogue about organ donation, and ensuring that New Jerseyans talk to their loved ones about the possibility of becoming a donor. By increasing awareness of organ donation programs, we can maximize participation and save lives.”
The bill also incorporates a comprehensive education component at the high school and collegiate levels. Under the NJ Hero Act, New Jersey is the first state to incorporate mandatory organ donation education into the high school core curriculum, beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. At the collegiate level, institutions of higher education will be required to provide information on New Jersey’s organ donor policies through student health services.
“By increasing outreach and education, all New Jerseyans will be able to make better-informed decisions regarding organ and tissue donation,” said Assemblyman McKeon (D-Essex). “Ensuring every resident knows the vital importance of organ donation will make it easier for many more people to take the simple but truly heroic step that can help save a life.”
As of March 2008, 4,341 New Jersey residents were awaiting organ transplants. In 2007, 692 New Jersey residents received 696 lifesaving organ transplants; 195 New Jersey residents became organ donors that same year. More than 2,470 New Jersey residents have died on the organ donor waiting list over the last 10 years.
Assembly sponsors of the bill include Assemblymen John F. McKeon (D-Essex), Albert Coutinho (D-Essex/Union) and Patrick Diegnan, Jr. (D-Middlesex) and Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey (D-Essex).