Arkansas attorney general said he will ‘vigorously defend’ changes to state’s organ donations law

VIDEO: Organ donation advocates sue to block Arkansas law they say threatens lives, violates constitution

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said he would “vigorously defend” against a temporary hold on changes to the state’s organ donations law.

A federal judge granted a temporary injunction on Monday on the new organ donation law, which was set to go into effect. U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr. said the decision granting the temporary injunction is based on the lawsuit asking for a permanent injunction, which is likely to succeed based on the evidence presented.

Court records also show the judge felt the law going into effect would create “irreparable harm” and that the temporary injunction is in the public interest.

At issue is Act 861 of 2025, which 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.

Griffin said he was reviewing the Monday ruling for a response. He also questioned the timing of the lawsuit.

“I will vigorously defend Act 861 and I am reviewing all options,” the attorney general said. “It is notable that the Plaintiffs waited until the last minute to challenge the law that was passed months ago, acted as though the known implementation date suddenly required an emergency, and failed to sue the right state entities.”