BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) —Assemblyman Pat Burke is tabling legislation that would have automatically enrolled New York residents 18 years of age or older as organ donors unless they chose to opt-out of the registry.
“I'm not going to push leg that my constituents aren't comfortable with. I am going to engage with them because it's about saving people's lives,” said Burke.
Burke said he received a number of concerns via social media over the weekend.
The legislation would have created a space on the driver's license applications for applicants to opt-out of the New York State organ and tissue donor registry. Current wording on the application allows applicants to opt-in instead. It also allows you to skip the question.
Burke said the goal of his proposal was to increase the number of donors statewide. “Currently, there are people on a wait list. We need to fix that,” he said.
Burke may still introduce the legislation at some point. But, he said he wants the public support first.
