California Joins National Movement to Bring Uniformity to Organ Donation Laws as Governor Schwarzenegger Sig...( LOS ANGELES Oct. 15 -- Governor ...),Health

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Oct. 13 signed Assembly Bill 1689, also known as the revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA), that is part of a nationwide movement to bring uniformity to state organ donation laws. A bipartisan bill by Speaker Pro Tempore Sally Lieber (D-Mountain View) and heart recipient and Assemblyman Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto), California's revised UAGA brings California donation law up to contemporary medical, legal, and bioethical practices and makes California the 20th state to adopt the law. The law was last revised in 1987.

"Today more than 20,000 Californians are waiting for organ transplants. They, and their families, were counting on Governor Schwarzenegger to sign AB 1689," said Lieber. "It's now time to strengthen and update our ability to donate organs or receive life-saving organ transplants. We're much closer to our goal today thanks to the Governor's action in signing this vital legislation." Three-fourths of those on the growing waiting list are in need of a kidney transplant, and 72% of kidney transplant candidates in California are minorities.

"Medical technology and the willingness to donate organs have greatly advanced since California last revised its organ donation laws. I stand here today as a direct beneficiary of the Registry, California's nurses and doctors, and most importantly, a willing donor," said Berryhill. "I am honored to have been part of this bi-partisan bill with Speaker Pro Tempore Sally Lieber. It is a tragedy that nearly one third of individuals currently on the waiting list will fail to receive their transplant in time. I am hopeful that this bill will facilitate greater and more efficient organ donations within the state and will save lives."

"When it comes to organ donation, uniformity of state laws is an issue of great importance to the nation as well as California," said Bryan Stewart, president of Donate Life California, admin
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