Governor’s signature makes Brandt’s ‘Glory’s Law’ official

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 71, otherwise known as Glory’s Law, into law Thursday.

The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho), prohibits discrimination against transplant recipients based solely on their physical or mental disability. It was introduced last year but didn’t pass.

“I am proud to announce that Glory, a 5-year-old constituent of mine with Down Syndrome, and the thousands like her are now guaranteed the same chance at a life-saving organ transplant as every other New Mexican. Today, our state has affirmed that every life deserves equal treatment under the law,” Brandt said in response. He noted during his introduction of the bill that while the issue hasn’t come up yet in New Mexico, it has in other states. He introduced the bill as a proactive measure.

“I heard about a story in another state where a baby was denied a kidney transplant solely based on that child having Down syndrome. So immediately I wanted to find out how our state stood on that and right now, we don’t have any laws in place to protect people with disabilities,” said Christy Sellers, Glory’s mother, at a January event introducing the bill. “Should they need a transplant, they could be denied solely based on having Down syndrome, solely based on being deaf. These are things that don’t affect their quality of life or make them any less worthy.”

The bill passed the House last month on a unanimous vote before moving to the governor for signature.

“I want to thank Christy Sellers, the governor, the lieutenant governor, Lobo Football Coach Danny Gonzales, and the Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network for all playing an integral role in ensuring that this bill is now the law of the land.”

A formal celebration regarding the enactment of Glory’s Law will take place as part of Donate Life’s annual Organ Donation Month event April 14 at Civic Plaza in Albuquerque. More details regarding the event will be made public soon.