Local News

Organ Tissue Donors

Fri, 29 Dec 2017 09:32:21 CST
Legislation allowing 16 and 17 year olds to register for the state's First Person Consent Organ/Tissue Donor Registry when they receive their driver's license or identification card will take effect on January 1, 2018.

Under current law, an individual must be at least 18 years old to join the Registry. The legislation amends the Illinois Anatomical Gift Act allowing 16 and 17 year olds to join the registry.

By joining the First Person Consent Organ/Tissue Donor Registry, 16 and 17 year olds will be giving consent to donate their organs and tissue at the time of their death with only the single limitation that the procurement organizations (Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Network and Mid-America Transplant) must make a reasonable effort to contact a parent or guardian to ensure they approve of the donation. The parent or guardian will then have the opportunity to overturn the child's decision. Once the 16 or 17 year old turns 18, that decision would be considered legally binding without limitation.