A New Jersey state senator has introduced legislation aimed at preventing future conflicts over organ donation following a case in which a family's wishes were allegedly ignored by an organ procurement organization. The bill, proposed by Sen. Paul Moriarty, would mandate that organ procurement organizations access the most up-to-date information available from the Motor Vehicle Commission regarding organ donor status.
This legislative effort comes after the family of Keith Lott, 47, alleged that the NJ Sharing Network attempted to harvest his organs even after they had informed the organization that Lott had withdrawn his consent. Lott suffered cardiac arrest at his Swedesboro home on May 16 and was declared brain dead on May 19. According to the family, representatives from the NJ Sharing Network arrived at the hospital within an hour of the declaration to discuss organ donation.
The family stated that Lott had been a registered organ donor but had opted to remove himself from the registry in 2025 due to his conversion to Islam. Many Muslims believe that the human body should not be altered after death. The family presented Lott's updated driver's license, which no longer listed him as a donor, and cited his religious beliefs. However, they allege that NJ Sharing Network representatives insisted that his initial donor registration was a "lifetime contract" and suggested he should have formally removed himself from the registry.
The family also claimed that the hospital could not proceed with burial arrangements, which, according to Muslim tradition, should occur within three days of death, because the NJ Sharing Network asserted a claim to Lott's organs. The organization reportedly threatened legal action against the family and hospital.
The situation was reportedly resolved after Lott's niece, Blake, who interns for Sen. Moriarty, contacted his office for assistance. Her colleagues then contacted the hospital on her behalf, reportedly informing them that continuing to keep Lott on life support for organ preservation against the family's wishes was illegal. Two hours later, the NJ Sharing Network agreed to release Lott's body, and he was buried three days later.
The Motor Vehicle Commission stated that its organ donor registry is updated immediately when changes are made and that procurement organizations have direct, real-time electronic access to this information. It remains unclear why the NJ Sharing Network did not immediately recognize Lott's updated status. The organization, in a statement, acknowledged that individuals can change or remove their organ donation registration at any time and confirmed that they access the MVC database in real time to verify the most current donor status.
NJ Sharing Network is reportedly under investigation by a Congressional committee concerning allegations of "fraud, cover-ups, and illegal practices."