BOSTON—A new law is aimed at expanding organ and tissue donations in Massachusetts.
It establishes a fund that will accept public and private gifts, grants and donations to support donor registration. It also revitalizes the Department of Public Health's Advisory Council on Organ and Tissue Transplants and Donations.
In addition, it allows Massachusetts residents to register as organ donors online through the Registry of Motor Vehicles website.
Gov. Deval Patrick signed the measure into law as family members of organ donors and recipients looked on.
Also in attendance was the Linehan family of Melrose. Their daughter, Laura, fell mortally ill in 2008 while waiting a liver transplant.
The 20-year-old had moved to Florida hoping to improve her chances of a donation after delays in Massachusetts.
