Introduced By: Reps. Dennigan and C. Levesque
Date Introduced : February 3, 1998
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 31-10-26.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10 entitled "Operators' and Chauffeurs' Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:
31-10-26.1. Anatomical gifts by drivers. -- (a) The registry shall cause to be sent to each person applying for or renewing a license, as provided for in section 31-10-26, a document containing a summary description and explanation of the Anatomical Gift Act, as provided for in chapter 18.6, title 23, and a donor card suitable for use by a person wishing to donate tissue or organs pursuant to the applicable provisions of chapter 18.6, title 23. The donor card shall include the definition of qualified donee, as specified in chapter 18.6, title 23.
(b) The registry may, on behalf of the state accept and deposit with the general treasurer any grant, gift, or contribution made to assist in meeting the cost of carrying out the purposes of this section and to expend the grant, gift, or contribution for those purposes.
(c) The registry may make and sign any agreements and may do and perform any and all acts which may be necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this section.
(d) The registry shall issue special licenses upon request of a licensee which conform to the provisions of the Rhode Island Anatomical Gift Act in chapter 18.6, title 23.
(e) Neither the registrar nor any employee of the state shall be liable in any suit for damages as a result of his or her acts or omissions or for any action under the provisions of this section.
{ADD (f) The registry shall cause to be posted in all of its customer service locations a sign denoting that organ donor cards are available, from a registry customer service representative, upon request from a person applying for or renewing a license. Organ donor cards shall be placed in areas visible to customers. ADD}
{ADD (g) When obtaining or renewing the driver's license, Rhode Island residents, who request an organ donor card, may be asked this question: Do you wish to have the organ donor designation on your driver's license? If the driver says "yes", that information will be designated on the license. Effective July 1, 2000, when obtaining or renewing the driver's license, Rhode Island residents, who request an organ donor card, will be asked this question: Do you wish to have the organ donor designation printed on your driver's license? If the driver says "yes", that information will be designated on the license and the information made a permanent part of the driver's record with the Rhode Island registry of motor vehicles. Only a "yes" or affirmative response will be noted. This information will be made available to all law enforcement organizations twenty-four (24) hours a day and will be used to notify next of kin of their family member's affirmative response to organ donation. ADD}
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
