Gov. Patrick signs organ donations bill

BOSTON (AP) -- Gov. Deval Patrick has signed a bill designed to promote organ donation in Massachusetts.

Patrick said the new law will help streamline the donation process by aligning Massachusetts' law with similar laws in neighboring states.

Currently New England's only organ procurement organization must navigate various state-by-state requirements.

Creating standard requirements throughout the region will make it easier to donate organs across state lines and give Massachusetts residents a better chance to receive organs for transplant.

The new law also requires the Registry of Motor Vehicles to include a description of the donor registry in every license and registration renewal notice and offer motorists the option to donate $2 or more to the Organ and Tissue Donor Registration Fund.

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