(ANCHORAGE) - The Alaska House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation today to establish an anatomical gift registry in the state. The bill, HB 337, was sponsored by Representative Lesil McGuire (R-Anchorage).

The legislation would create a donor registry program, which would ensure that organ donor status appears, not only on the physical license issued by Department of Motor Vehicles, but also in the DMV's database. It also ensures that donor information is available to Life Alaska Donor Services, the state's organ and tissue donor program.

Representative McGuire said, "Prior to the introduction of this bill, many people were not aware of the fact that they needed to go one step further and register themselves with Life Alaska to become an organ donor. If a person didn't have their license on them at the time of death, their choice to give might go unrecognized. This legislation will eliminate the extra steps and make it easier for Alaskans to give the gift of life."

She went on to say, "I encourage everyone, when this bill becomes law, to go to the local DMV and make their donor wishes known."

HB 337 is now awaiting action in the Senate.

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