Wolf signs revisions to Pennsylvania's organ donation law

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- A revision to Pennsylvania's law governing organ and tissue donations is going into effect, and backers say it will improve survival rates for transplant patients.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday signed the bill that passed both legislative chambers unanimously earlier this month.

The bill imposes rules to prevent organ donation from interfering with criminal investigations.

It lets those with power of attorney give permission for organs to be donated and sets out a procedure for determining the intention of a dying person if he or she hasn't made clear if they want to donate their organs and tissues.

A voluntary organ donation fund on driver's license and vehicle registration applications will increase from $1 to $3.

Officials say the state's transplant waiting list currently has about 7,500 people.