Updated online resource adds pediatric insights and state education requirements to its state-by-state legislative information
The Organ Donation and Transplantation Alliance (The Alliance) has released an updated and expanded edition of its State Legislation and Donor Registries database, providing donation and transplantation professionals with a centralized resource for reviewing laws, registries and other state-specific considerations.
Available through The Alliance website, the interactive database features a clickable map that allows users to explore Uniform Anatomical Gift Act provisions and determination-of-death legislation across the country. Each state profile includes direct links to relevant statutes and the state’s organ, eye and tissue donor registry.
Understanding State-Specific Nuances
Although states generally follow common legislative frameworks, specific statutory language and requirements can vary. The database helps users identify and compare nuances that may affect donation-related policies and practices.
Depending on the state, the resource addresses questions such as:
- When anatomical gift provisions take effect
- Whether an anatomical gift may be revoked after death
- Whether the law includes good-faith immunity protections
- How statutes address the role of coroners and medical examiners
- Whether an organ procurement organization must obtain a coroner or medical examiner release
- Which types of death are defined in state law
- Who may pronounce death
- How many brain death declarations are required
- Whether nurse pronouncement may be permitted in donation after circulatory death cases
Statutory references are provided throughout the profiles, allowing users to locate and review the applicable legislative language.
New Pediatric and Education Information
New this year, the database includes two expanded areas of state-level information.
The Pediatric Nuances and Insights section highlights considerations related to pediatric donation and determination of death, helping professionals identify provisions or practices that may differ when caring for children and working with their families.
The new State Education Initiatives, Recommendations and Requirements section provides information on state actions related to donation education. These may include educational programs, recommendations or requirements that apply to schools, driver education programs, healthcare settings or other audiences.
Together, these additions offer a more comprehensive view of the legislative and educational environments that support donation within each state.
A Centralized Reference for the Community
The updated database is designed to make state-specific information easier to locate and navigate. Rather than searching across multiple government websites and statutory sources, users can begin with a single interactive resource and follow direct links to the relevant state materials.
The State Legislation and Donor Registries database is available through The Alliance’s Resources and Insights section. Users must sign in to access the content, and individuals without an Alliance account may create one through the website.
The information included in this resource is curated from a variety of primary sources available online. As states revise their websites, statutes and administrative materials, some links may no longer remain current. If you encounter a broken link or information that appears outdated, inaccurate or incomplete, please contact The Alliance so the resource can be reviewed and updated.
