Bill A07954: New York's Push for Opt-Out Organ Donation

This is the bill I think about every single day. New York State Assembly Bill A07954 would transition New York from an opt-in to an opt-out organ donation system, meaning all adults would be presumed organ donors unless they explicitly register their objection. After a family member needed a kidney transplant, this became personal for me. I couldn't stay on the sidelines — and this bill is how we at YCOD are fighting to change the system.

The Current Situation

Here's the reality that keeps me up at night: New York has one of the lowest organ donor registration rates in the country. As of 2023, only about 35% of New Yorkers had signed up on the state's organ donor registry — compared to a national average of roughly 58%. Meanwhile, over 8,000 New Yorkers remain on the transplant waiting list, and hundreds die each year waiting for organs that never come. 17 people die every day in the U.S. waiting for an organ. That's not a medical problem — it's a policy problem.

"New York is one of the most progressive states in the country, yet we have one of the lowest donor registration rates. That disconnect costs lives every day." — YCOD testimony to the NYS Assembly Health Committee

What Bill A07954 Would Do

The bill would amend New York Public Health Law to establish a presumed consent system. Key provisions include:

Presumed consent: All New York residents 18 and older would be presumed organ donors unless they opt out through an accessible online registry, by notifying the Department of Health, or through advance directives.

Family consultation: Families would still be consulted before any donation proceeds, preserving an important safeguard.

Public education: The bill mandates a comprehensive public education campaign to inform New Yorkers about their rights, including the right to opt out.

Religious and cultural exemptions: The law would respect religious and cultural objections to organ donation.

YCOD's Role

I founded the Youth Coalition for Organ Donation because young people aren't apolitical — they're agents of change. Our members have testified before the Assembly Health Committee, organized letter-writing campaigns to Albany, and built a coalition of student organizations across the state supporting this bill. We've collected thousands of signatures and partnered with healthcare organizations to amplify the message. This is what it looks like when young people refuse to accept a broken default.

"Young people understand that this isn't about taking away choice — it's about making the life-saving choice the default. We're fighting for the 8,000 New Yorkers on the waitlist." — Evan Roden, YCOD founder

What You Can Do

I need your help. Visit our Bill A07954 page to learn more and take action. Use our letter generator to write to your state representatives. Changing the default saves lives — but only if enough of us demand it. Every voice matters in this fight, and I mean that.