Donation for anatomical gifts

When applying for a driver’s license or state identification card, an applicant is already asked if they want to be an organ donor. They may also be asked to contribute.

Rep. Sarah Anderson (R-Plymouth) sponsors HF808 that would establish a $2 donation option “for the purposes of public information and education on anatomical gifts.”

The money would be used as grants to federally certified organ procurement organizations and nonprofit organizations that advocate for organ and tissue donation. Funds would also cover all Department of Public Safety expenses to implement the program.

Approved March 16 by the House Transportation Policy and Finance Committee, the bill was sent to the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Michael Beard (R-Shakopee), the committee chairman, said the bill would also be considered for inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill. A companion, SF892, sponsored by Sen. David Senjem (R-Rochester), awaits action by the Senate Transportation Committee.

Susan Gunderson, CEO of LifeSource, a nonprofit organization that coordinates organ and tissue donation in the Upper Midwest, said more than half of Minnesotans have registered their intent to donate on their driver’s license or ID card. The national rate is 40 percent.

“Organ and tissue donation is a gift that saves and heals thousands each year, but it’s a gift that relies on the generosity of others. Transplantation is not possible without one person selflessly giving to another,” Gunderson said. “We believe that passage of this will provide citizens with the opportunity to make small individual gifts that when pulled together as a whole will be a great resource that will help support the goal of saving lives.”

Rep. Mike Nelson (DFL-Brooklyn Park) asked why not have the checkoff on the state’s income tax form so more people could potentially contribute annually.

Organ donation advocacy is already on the driver’s license, Anderson said. “We just felt it was a logical place to put this rather than starting something brand new. We already have the mechanism in place to achieve this in a relatively easy fashion.”