ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION
No. 109
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman HEATHER SIMMONS
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Drulis and Assemblyman Freiman
SYNOPSIS
Designates month of April of each year as "Donate Life Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee on March 16, 2026, with amendments.
A Joint Resolution designating the month of April each year as “Donate Life Month.”
Whereas, Organ donation is a lifesaving service which can benefit thousands of New Jersey residents and their families by giving the recipient a chance at life when they are losing hope; and
Whereas, People of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and religions are affected by organ donation; and
Whereas, Currently, there are nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents and over 100,000 Americans awaiting life-saving transplant operations; and
Whereas, Every eight minutes someone in America is put on the organ transplant list, and for some it may be a matter of life and death, as they suffer with end-stage organ failure or survive a horrific accident; and
Whereas, The serious shortage of available organs and tissue is a critical reason why 17 people die every day waiting for a transplant; and
Whereas, Time is of the essence for individuals waiting for an organ transplant, and increasing the number of donors will expand availability for organs as well as increase diversity for matching donors to recipients; and
Whereas, A single organ donor has the ability to save eight lives and enhance the lives of over 75 others through tissue donation; and
Whereas, In April 2003, the non-profit organization, Donate Life America, established National Donate Life Month to help encourage people to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and celebrate those lives which have been saved by transplants; and
Whereas, Registering as an organ donor does not change the quality of health care an individual receives throughout their lifetime; and
Whereas, In 1[2022] 20251, the 1State’s two nonprofit organ procurement organizations, the1 NJ Sharing Network 1and Gift of Life Donor Program,1 reported that there was an all-time high record set in the State with 1[283] 3511 organ donors saving 1[670] 8691 lives in addition to the 40,000 eye and tissue donations which improved the quality of the recipients’ lives; and
Whereas, New Jersey residents can register as an organ and tissue donor at their local Motor Vehicle Agency or through the National Donate Life Registry online; and
Whereas, By devoting an entire month to recognizing the immense value of organ and tissue donation as well as the consequences of failing to promote donor registration, New Jersey is committed to bringing hope to those waiting for these life-saving services and honors those who have made the decision to give the gift of life to others; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of April each year is designated as “Donate Life Month” to promote organ donor registration and celebrate the lives of those who have been impacted by organ donation.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials, citizens of the State, and other interested groups to observe “Donate Life Month” with appropriate programs and activities.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.