Practitioners who apply for professional licenses through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency to practice in Indiana, one in six working Hoosiers, now have a new opportunity to sign up to be lifesaving organ and tissue donors.
Authored by Indiana Sens. Blake Doriot (Dist. 12) and Ed Charbonneau (Dist. 5), Senate Enrolled Act 260-2022 requires the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency to ask all license applicants and those seeking a license renewal if they wish to be organ and tissue donors. A wide variety of occupations require a professional license, including nurses, hair stylists, accountants, dentists, plumbers, physical therapists, and real estate agents.
Indiana was the first state in the U.S. to pass legislation requiring the donation question to be asked of those seeking professional licenses or renewals. Indiana Donor Network and Donate Life Indiana campaigned for the legislation. Since then, other states throughout the U.S. have followed suit.
“This legislation will no doubt increase the number of Hoosiers who want to give the gift of life,” said Tim Clauson, president of the board of directors of Donate Life Indiana, the organization responsible for managing the state’s donor registry and raising awareness for organ, tissue and cornea donation and transplantation in Indiana through public education.
“The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency is proud to partner with the Indiana Donor Network and Donate Life Indiana in promoting its critical mission of saving and enhancing the quality of life through organ and tissue donation and transplantation,” said Lindsay Hyer, executive director of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency’s process is now the fifth way Hoosiers can register to become organ and tissue donors. They can also say “yes” to donations while conducting business at any Bureau of Motor Vehicle branch when applying for a hunting, fishing, or trapping license through the state Department of Natural Resources, on Donate Life Indiana’s website, and through Apple’s Health app.
When someone signs up as a donor, they are automatically authorized to donate organs at the end of their life if they are medically eligible to donate.
One donor can save eight lives through organ donation and save or heal up to 75 people through tissue donation. Others can gain sight through cornea donation.
Indiana Donor Network, the federally designated organ procurement organization for 85 of Indiana’s 92 counties, coordinates organ recovery and transplantation processes.
“This is one more step in making it as easy as possible for Hoosiers to sign up to be organ, tissue, and cornea donors,” Clauson said
Currently, more than 104,000 Americans are waiting on a lifesaving organ transplant, including more than 1,300 Hoosiers. More than 4.4 million Hoosiers are registered organ and tissue donors.
Anyone can sign up to be a donor online at Donate Life Indiana, regardless of age or medical history.
Gov. Mike Braun orders flags to half-staff for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Stay safe; always assume you are on ‘thin ice’
100% of Keystone Cooperative member profits returned to farmer-members
More than $320,000 in energy bill assistance available for Duke Energy Indiana customers
Niles Scream Park raises more than $153,300 for local groups
Indiana Senate accepting applications for 2026 Page Program
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance surpasses 2024 volunteer impact, continues Giving Tuesday initiative
Governor Braun announces "Family First Workplace” policy to support working families
Two nabbed for drugs in Parke County
USPS asks public to clear snow and ice to help deliveries
Winter Weather Advisory calls for more snow chances
Special Olympics Indiana now serves 20,000 athletes statewide
Winter Storm Watch for most of central Indiana, heavy snow possible
Dana Festival of Lights right around the corner
Governor Braun celebrates "Small Business Saturday" in Indiana
New Coach Curt Cignetti Indiana Hoosiers bobblehead unveiled with proceeds going to Riley Children’s Hospital
IDOH offers food preparation tips for a safe Thanksgiving
O'Heir reflects back on time as Vermillion County EMA Director
