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Bill

S 8841

Allows individuals to register in the donate life registry through personal income tax filings

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jack Martins and 4 co-sponsors

Expands Donate Life Registry enrollment by allowing opt-in through mandatory electronic personal income tax filings, in addition to existing channels.

AMENDED ON THIRD READING (T) 8841A
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Bill Summary · S 8841

Summary of Bill S. 8841 (2025-2026) – New York

Purpose and Intent

Bill S. 8841 proposes to expand and streamline the process by which New Yorkers can enroll in the Donate Life Registry, which records consent to donate organs, eyes, and tissues. Specifically, it adds the option to register through mandatory electronic personal income tax filings, aligning with other electronic data-entry points. The overarching goal is to increase donor registrations by leveraging tax filing workflows.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Documentation of Consent Methods (Public Health Law § 4310, subdivision 5, amended):

    • The bill preserves existing channels for registering consent, including:
    • Driver’s license applications/renewals
    • Non-driver ID applications/renewals
    • Voter registration
    • Health care coverage enrollment (state health benefit exchange)
    • Donate Life Registry enrollment (website and paper)
    • Hunting/fishing/trapping licenses
    • mybenefits.ny.gov (OTDA)
    • College financial aid applications/renewals
    • Patient-facing portal of an electronic health record
    • New addition: (xi) Personal income tax documents that are subject to mandatory electronic filing (section 29 of the Tax Law) and (xii)/(xiii) additional methods as identified by the Commissioner.
    • For individuals aged 16-17, the department must establish a way to register using the same methods, including the tax filing channel.

  • Tax Filing Channel Highlight:

    • The bill explicitly authorizes registration via any personal income tax document submitted through mandatory electronic filing.

  • Additional Regulatory Clarifications:

    • The Commissioner of Health must ensure appropriate display and clarity on forms where registration is required, including a clear prompt about whether the applicant wishes to be added to the Donate Life Registry (and an option to skip).

  • Pediatric Age Provision:

    • The bill requires a mechanism to register donations for ages 16-17 using the same channels as adults.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Individuals:

    • All New Yorkers who file taxes electronically will potentially be able to opt into organ, eye, and tissue donation directly through their tax filing process.
    • Individuals aged 16-17 are explicitly included, ensuring a pathway for younger individuals to register.

  • Government and Agencies:

    • New York State Department of Health (Public Health Law amendments) and the tax administration framework will coordinate to implement the new tax-filing registration channel.
    • The Commissioner of Health is tasked with developing the processes and ensuring forms include donation prompts.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Effective Date:
    • The act takes effect 180 days after it becomes law.
    • If related sections from prior laws (Chapter 128 of 2025 and Chapter 662 of 2024) have timing considerations, the bill’s provisions align to those schedules for the affected sections.
    • The Commissioner is authorized, on or before the effective date, to take actions necessary to implement the provisions immediately.

Summary Assessment

S. 8841 is a relatively targeted expansion of the Donate Life Registry enrollment options, leveraging electronic personal income tax filings to increase accessibility and participation. It maintains existing enrollment pathways while adding a tax-filing channel and ensuring inclusivity for 16- and 17-year-olds. The measure includes clarity requirements on forms and a defined implementation timeline.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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