Federal judge issues temporary hold against Arkansas organ donation law

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – On Monday, a federal judge temporarily blocked an Arkansas law that would bring changes to the Arkansas organ donation law.

U.S. District Judge James Moody issued an injunction temporarily blocking the enforcement of Act 861 amid a recently filed lawsuit against the law by Little Rock-based Southern

Act 861 changed the law by allowing someone with power of attorney, relatives or guardians of an organ donor to halt their organ donation.

The act also requires any organ procurement organization to report to the legislative council each year its activity level and the number of times a donation was halted under the terms of Act 861.

Court records state that a final hearing will be set for Aug. 12 at 9 a.m. or later if the defendants ask for a later date.