INDIANAPOLIS — Soon, Hoosiers applying for or trying to renew their professional licenses will have one more question as part of the process.
SEA 260, which was signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb Monday, requires professional license agencies to develop and maintain a system that asks applicants if they want to become an organ and tissue donor.
"We're so pleased ... [this bill] is going to make such a huge impact," Indiana Donor Network COO Steve Johnson said.
The Indiana Donor Network says the question will be the fifth way people in Indiana can register to become a donor. Other ways include:
- Saying “yes” to donation when applying for a hunting, fishing or trapping license
- Registering at the Bureau of Motor Vehicle branches throughout the state
- Online through Donate Life Indiana
- Through Apple’s Health app
Indiana is the first U.S. state to require the donation question to be asked of those seeking professional licenses or renewals.
"Making those avenues [to register] easily accessible is certainly important. We want everybody to have that option, so adding this opportunity during professional licensing is just one of those steps," Johnson said.
Eight lives can be saved through organ donation and up to 75 people can be healed through tissue donation.
According to the Indiana Donor Network, nearly 1,100 people in Indiana are waiting on an organ transplant and over 4.2 million Hoosiers have already signed up to be organ donors.
Johnson says the Network will be working with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency to develop and implement the process.
PREVIOUS: Indiana Donor Network reports highest-ever number of organ donations in 2021
-
Proposed ordinance to target late-night food trucks after downtown shooting
What exactly the ordinance will include is still unknown. Whether it will limit operating hours, specific streets or the number of trucks permitted downtown has not been clarified.
Silver Alert cancelled for missing 89-year-old from Posey County
Indiana State Police have issued a Silver Alert for an 89-year-old white female. Lola Davis, an 89-year-old female, is 5 feet 8 inches tall, 175 pounds, and has gray hair and green eyes.
Bloomington determined to turn hospital site into housing
The city of Bloomington wants to build hundreds of affordable housing units on the site, but none of them are intended for students first.
Youth gun access sparks concern following mass shooting in downtown Indianapolis
Access to firearms for children remains a pressing issue, highlighted by the recent mass shooting downtown that left two teenagers dead and five others injured, all under the age of 21.
