Minnesota Makes Organ Donor Wish Legally Binding

Minnesota has become the latest state to make a person's recorded wish to become an organ donor legally binding upon death.

The new law, named for the late state Rep. Darlene Luther, a liver transplant recipient, went into effect Dec. 1.

The state's organ procurement organization, LifeSource, has signed an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to build a donor registry from the state's driver's license database, according to spokesperson Susan Mau Larson said.

"We will maintain the same level of support for donor families" whose consent was required until now, Mau Larson said. "If there is a designation, we would still work with the family, but we would honor the donor's wishes."

Minnesota also will now require that organ donor information be given to all license applicants and driver training students.

Other sources: Minneapolis Star Tribune