Beech Tree News Network

Louisville, KY- February 20, 2019) – The Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks’ Trust For Life and Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) are excited to announce Kentucky Senate Bill 77 passed unanimously in the House Committee for Health and Family Services. This groundbreaking bill will amend KRS 311.1947 to expand organ donor registration to the Commonwealth's single sign-on system and will become effective January 1, 2020.

The Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks’ Trust For Life and KODA have worked extensively with Senator Julie Raque Adams on this bill to grow the Donor Registry.  Today nearly 2 million Kentuckians, 60% of adults, are registered as donors thanks to the dedication of Kentucky’s Circuit Court Clerks and driver’s license deputies.  99% of people who have joined the Registry have done so at the Circuit Court Clerk’s offices.  The new 8-year Kentucky driver’s license impact on the registry had put the number of registrations at serious risk.  Currently, the Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks see about 1 million people per year obtaining a license or ID and with the longer renewal cycle, that number could decrease.  

“We are absolutely thrilled that the House Committee passed the bill today. This firmly cement’s Kentucky’s status as a leader on behalf of organ and tissue donation,” states Shelley Snyder, Executive Director, Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks’ Trust For Life. “The passage of this bill is the first in the U.S  to create a portal to a registry in this manner.  We are especially thankful to Senator Julie Raque Adams for her support and sponsorship of SB77, along with her dedication and drive surrounding the importance of an issue which affects so many men, women and children in need.”

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The mission of the Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks’ Trust For Life is to inform, educate, and encourage Kentuckians to register as organ and tissue donors to save lives. For more information visit trustforlife.org.  Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates mission is to provide organ and tissues to those in need and to maintain a profound respect for those who gave. For more information visit kyorgandonor.org. These two nonprofits partner closely to educate and improve the lives of Kentuckians through organ donation and transplantation.