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NY takes steps to increase organ donation

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  New York State is taking steps to make it easier to sign up as an organ donor. 

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a new executive order Monday directing state agencies to work to make it easier to enroll on the state's Donate Life Registry, the list of organ donors. 

The order also directs officials to offer the choice of signing up whenever New Yorkers apply for state services or benefits. The state is also revamping the registry enrollment website to make it easier to use.

Cuomo also signed legislation making permanent a rule that individuals can say whether they'd like to donate their organs on the driver's license renewal form. 

The governor says more than 84,000 people have signed up to be donors in New York state so far this year.

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