Washington, D.C. - Earlier this week, a bill introduced by D.C. Councilmember David A. Catania (I, At-Large) that would ensure timely access to crucial donor information moved another step closer to becoming law.

Bill 16-421, The Organ and Tissue Donor Registry Establishment Act, was approved by the Council's Committee of the Whole and will have its first vote by the full Council at the April 4th Legislative Meeting. The legislation would establish a centralized donor registration database to be maintained by the Washington Regional Transplant Consortium (WRTC) which serves as the region's designated procurement organization. The proposal requires the District's DMV to regularly transfer all organ and tissue donor information to WRTC to ensure that hospitals have access to up-to-date and accurate vital information about patients and potential donors.

Over 1,500 District residents are currently waiting for organ and tissue donations and more than 100,000 people have registered as donors with the DMV.

Catania stated, "District residents have among the highest need, per capita, of organ and tissue transplants. We must ensure that systems exist to provide connectivity between those who are willing to donate and those who have a need. As Chairman of the Council's Committee on Health, I will continue to support efforts to educate our citizens about the need for organ donations and encourage individuals to make family members aware of their desire to become an organ donor."