California Gov. Gray Davis has signed legislation to establish a state donor registry that would make information on residents who have indicated a willingness to be organ and tissue donors available on an around-the-clock basis.

Davis said, however, that the state will not launch the program until the Department of Finance determines that "sufficient donated funds are available" in the California Organ and Tissue Donor Fund to support the cost of the first year of operation.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said that 19 states have now established state donor registries, and said it plans to conduct a Donor Registry Forum on November 29-30 to explore drafting guidelines for all state registries to follow.

Organ Procurement Organization directors and state officials are being invited to participate in the meeting, which will be held in Bethesda, MD.

Other sources: CA Governor