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
-
Indiana veteran completes 250-mile march for semiquincentennial
Indiana Gulf War veteran takes on American Legion's USA 250 Challenge, marching 250 miles to support veterans and their children.
IU’s Lamar Wilkerson & Tucker DeVries sign NBA Exhibit-10 contracts
Former Indiana Hoosiers Lamar Wilkerson and Tucker DeVries have officially inked NBA Exhibit-10 contracts to play in the NBA Summer League starting in July.
Facing heavy rain and severe threat Friday, extreme heat next week
A slow-moving front brings central Indiana a couple of rain chances in the coming days. Widespread rain is anticipated on Friday.
Pacers GM Chad Buchanan shares what stood out about Braden Smith
Former Purdue star and Westfield grad Braden Smith is staying home. The Indiana Pacers traded for Smith, the NCAA all-time assist leader, in the second round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday night.
