Legislation signed into law by the Governor on Monday will make it easier for organ donors to give the gift of life.
The bill updates many of the current organ donation laws already in place. State Representative Steve Wieckert (R-Appleton), a sponsor of the measure, says it helps make it more clear who wants to donate or not and helps implement new technology in the process.
The bill also expands who can decide to donate the organs or tissue of a family member. Wieckert says it will help countless people who are waiting for a transplant. About 80,000 Americans are on a waiting list for an organ and nearly 5,000 die each year while waiting for a transplant.
Wieckert says the bill also allows the state to create a database of organ donors, so they can more easily be identified. He says that step will make it easier for people to donate and to make their wishes known.
Wieckert says the bill makes Wisconsin a role model for organ donation.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:00)
