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DMV Now Requires Organ Donor Answer In California

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A new rule means Californians can't skip the Department of Motor Vehicle's question about organ donation on driver's license forms.

Transplant and donor networks hope the change will boost the percentage of state residents willing to donate organs.

In California, 28 percent of drivers chose to give up vital organs and tissues after death in 2010, well below the national average of 40 percent.

More than 100,000 Americans are on waiting lists for life-saving transplants.

Transplant donor groups in California pushed for the change through legislation, which was approved last year without opposition.

The change went into effect July 1.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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