AN ACT TO designatE the month of april of each year as organ donation awareness/donate life month AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE ACT SHALL BE ENTITLED "DUFFY'S LAW."

Whereas, according to the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS), more than 116,000 people are waiting for organ transplants nationally, and more than 3,500 of those people are in North Carolina; and
Whereas, an average of 18 people awaiting transplants die each day due to the severe shortage of donated organs; and
Whereas, every 10 minutes another name is added to the national transplant waiting list; and
Whereas, one organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and improve the lives of up to 50 people through tissue and cornea donation; and
Whereas, North Carolinians are encouraged to get the facts about donation through Donate Life NC's Web site and discuss their wishes with their families; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles plays a critical role in maintaining the North Carolina State donor registry, with 99% of donors having registered when receiving their North Carolina drivers license or ID card, which are identified by the symbol of a red heart; and
Whereas, the State's Donor registry is the sixth largest registry in the country with 4.3 million North Carolinians having registered with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles or through Donate Life NC's online registry; and
Whereas, the State of North Carolina joins Donate Life NC, our State's organ recovery agencies, Carolina Donor Services, The North Carolina Eye Bank, LifeShare Of The Carolinas, health care professionals, volunteers, educators, government agencies, faith‑based and community groups, and private organizations in an effort to boost the numbers of organ, tissue, eye, blood, bone marrow, and stem cell donors throughout North Carolina; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 103 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 103‑12.  Organ Donation Awareness/Donate Life Month.
The month of April of each year is designated as Organ Donation Awareness/Donate Life Month in North Carolina."
SECTION 2.  This act shall be known as "Duffy's Law."

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 1st day of April, 2013.

	s/	 Neal Hunt
	 Presiding Officer of the Senate

	s/	 Paul Stam
	 Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives

	s/	 Pat McCrory
	 Governor

Approved 4:30 p.m. this 9th day of April, 2013