House Committee Passes Bill to Link Organ Donor Registration to Hunting and Fishing License Applications

COLUMBUS—The House Public Health Policy Committee today passed House Bill 256, which will require the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to inquire about organ donation when someone registers for a hunting or fishing license. The bill is joint sponsored by State Reps. Rodney Creech (R-West Alexandria) and Kevin Miller (R-Newark).

Ohio has over 2,700 registered individuals waiting for an organ transplant procedure.

House Bill 256 aims to help meet the demand in Ohio for life saving organ transplants by linking the process of registering as an organ donor to hunting and fishing license applications.

“This legislation will ensure that potential organ donors who otherwise would have not been prompted to register are presented with the opportunity to become a possible life saver,” said Creech. “I appreciate the committee’s consideration and passage of this critical bill.”

“Organ donation has the power to save up to eight lives,” said Miller. “Expanding the number of opportunities to sign up for organ donation will expand the pool of donors that may be a match for nearly 3,000 Ohioans who are waiting for an organ transplant procedure.”  

Ohio has over 300,000 annual applicants for hunting licenses and 850,000 annual applicants for fishing licenses.

House Bill 256 now awaits a vote on the House floor.