ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

New York State's law on organ and tissue donation, known as the Anatomical Gift Act (AGA), is largely based on the 1987 model "Uniform Anatomical Gift Act." In 2006, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws recommended further revisions. Assembly bill A. 6966 (Gottfried) is based on the new recommendations.

The proposed revised AGA is intended to increase donations and the availability of organs and tissues for treatment and education. It would protect an individual's decision to donate, expand and clarify the list of people who can consent to a donation for a deceased patient or a patient who lacks capacity, improve donation and procurement procedures, and bring New York law in line with Federal law.

The Committee fully understands that New York needs to increase organ and tissue donation. The urgency of that need is well known and does not need to be reiterated in testimony.

The purpose of the hearing is to consider the specifics of the bill. Does it help overcome particular obstacles to appropriate donation and procurement? Would it create other problems? Does it protect the intentions, including religious beliefs, of prospective donors?

Persons wishing to testify or attend should complete the hearing reply form and return as indicated as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, October 23. It is important that the form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to ten minutes in length. All testimony is under oath. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. This request should be made on the reply form or communicated to Committee staff as soon as possible. Ten copies of any written statement should be submitted at the hearing registration table. Written testimony, whether presented in person at the hearing or not, should be e-mailed (as a Word or PDF document) before the hearing or as soon as possible after the hearing to: Elizabeth Hamlin, hamline@assembly.state.ny.us and Estibaliz Alonso, alonsoe@assembly.state.ny.us.

In order to meet the needs of those who have a disability, the Assembly works to make its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Questions about this hearing may be directed to Elizabeth Hamlin of the Assembly Health Committee staff at 518-455-4941 or hamline@assembly.state.ny.us or Estibaliz Alonso of Assembly Program and Counsel staff at 518-455-4311 or alonsoe@assembly.state.ny.us.

I plan to attend the following public hearing on Proposed Revision of the Anatomical Gift Act to be conducted by the Assembly Committee on Health on October 29.

I plan to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to 10 minutes, and I will answer any questions which may arise. I will provide 10 copies of my prepared statement.

I will address my remarks to the following subjects:

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I do not plan to attend the above hearing.

I would like to be added to the Committee's mailing list for notices and reports.

I would like to be removed from the Committee's mailing list.

I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required:

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