A Westchester County assemblyman is pushing a bill that would presume people want to donate their organs unless they specifically request otherwise.  As it stands now, people have to sign up to be an organ donor.

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky has been personally affected by the issue.  His daughter has received two kidney transplants. 

The bill has two parts.  The first would end the practice of upset family members overriding the check offs on drivers licenses, even though their deceased relative intended to donate organs.

The second part is more controversial.  It would assume everyone is a donor unless they specifically opt out of the program.

In Central New York, the bill is getting high marks from some people affected by organ donation.

Stephanie Juskow received a kidney and says the transplant has given her a whole new life.  She calls the plan "wonderful."

"I think we need to save people who really need a chance at life," Juskow says.

Sam Kenyon has been waiting for a kidney for three years.  He also thinks the bill is worth exploring, and he says he's looking forward to a life without dialysis.

"We would be able to just live normal, take a trip without thinking about it, or spur of the moment things without having to plan dialysis each day."

Rob Kochik, Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network, says when the organization polls people, more than 70% say they're interested in becoming a donor, but at the DMV, only about 11% of people end up signing up. 

Opponents of the bill say it could force people to be a donor against their will if they don't know they need to opt out, and they question whether or not the government should be this involved in the donation process.

Here is a link to a press conference Assembly Brodsky had about the bill.

Click here to find out how to donate. 

Click here and click here for other CNYCentral.com stories on this topic.