§ 31-10-26.1. Anatomical gifts by drivers. (a) The division of motor vehicles shall cause to be sent to each person applying for or renewing a license, as provided for in § 31-10-26, a document containing a summary description and explanation of the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 18.6.1 of title 23.

(b) The division of motor vehicles may, on behalf of the state accept and deposit with the general treasurer any grant, gift, or contribution made to assist in meeting the cost of carrying out the purposes of this section and to expend the grant, gift, or contribution for those purposes.

(c) The division of motor vehicles may make and sign any agreements and may do and perform any and all acts which may be necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this section.

(d) The division of motor vehicles shall issue special licenses upon request of a licensee which conform to the provisions of the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 18.6.1 of title 23.

(e) Neither the administrator of the division of motor vehicles nor any employee of the state shall be liable in any suit for damages as a result of his or her acts or omissions or for any action under the provisions of this section.

(f) The division of motor vehicles shall cause to be posted in all of its customer service locations a sign or other material encouraging persons to make anatomical gifts during the process of issuing and renewing licenses provided for in § 31-10.1-1 and in accordance with the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 18.6.1 of title 23.

(g) The division of motor vehicles shall cause to be produced application forms and renewal forms for driver's licenses and nonoperator identification cards that clearly offer Rhode Island residents the option to consent to organ and tissue donation in accordance with § 31-10.1-8. Only a "yes" or affirmative response will be noted. Information held by the division of motor vehicles regarding a person's consent to donate shall constitute the "Rhode Island Donor Registry." This information will be made available to all federally designated organ procurement organizations and law enforcement organizations twenty-four (24) hours a day via a password protected Internet connection and will only be used to facilitate anatomical gifts in accordance with the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 23-18.6.1.

(h) The division of motor vehicles shall develop by January 1, 2008 a method that requires written consent and confirmation to allow residents of Rhode Island to have their names accurately added to or deleted from the division's Rhode Island Donor Registry in the periods between mandated driver's license renewals. Persons added to the Donor Registry in this manner shall be considered as having made a document of gift.

History of Section. (P.L. 1978, ch. 286, § 2; P.L. 1998, ch. 49, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 50, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 109, § 62; P.L. 2003, ch. 392, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 476, § 3.)