The bill amends various sections of the Code of West Virginia to improve the voter registration process by allowing applicants to register as organ donors. It mandates that each voter registration application includes a statement for individuals to express their desire to register as organ donors and be included in the National Donate Life Registry. The Secretary of State is given the authority to provide donor registrant records to the donor registry and must include organ donation information on voter registration cards. Additionally, the Secretary of State is required to propose legislative rules to implement these changes, including the collection of necessary personal information for the national organ donor registry.

Moreover, the bill updates definitions within the Anatomical Gift Act to recognize voter registration cards as valid documents for indicating anatomical gifts. It establishes a donor registry managed by the Secretary of State to facilitate the transmission of donor information collected during voter registration. The bill also addresses the handling of personally identifiable information on donor registries, ensuring that such information cannot be disclosed without consent, except for determining the status of an anatomical gift at or near the time of death. It requires the Director of the Division of Natural Resources to provide information about the anatomical organ donation program to hunting and fishing license applicants and outlines the reimbursement process for costs associated with the creation and administration of anatomical gift records. Additionally, the Secretary of State must inform individuals registering to vote about the anatomical organ donation program and the procedures for indicating a desire to make an anatomical gift.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-2-5, 16-19-3, 16-19-5, 16-19-19
Committee Substitute: 3-2-5, 16-19-3, 16-19-5, 16-19-19
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 3-2-5, 16-19-3, 16-19-5, 16-19-19