The Living Donor Protection Act

On November 5th, 2018 New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Living Donor Protection Act. In doing so, the benefits of Paid Family Leave are now extended to organ and tissue donors.

The bill will become law 90 days from signing (early February 2019). The law will allow any individual who donates an organ/tissue up to the full 12 weeks of leave at the maximum average weekly wage percentage (pro-rated by year), up to the State average wage. Benefits will increase annually as the PFL benefits increase.

Prior to this law being enacted an individual donating an organ would be doing so voluntarily recognizing that both NYS Short Term Disability (NYSDBL) and Paid family leave would not come into play. Now, there’s some level of financial compensation to help offset costs while an individual is recovering from donation procedures.

If you have question regarding this, or anything else relating to Paid Family Leave, please reach out to your KBM Representative.