Washington residents can soon put their blood type on their driver's license or identification card after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a new bill into law Monday.
Including blood-type information "can enhance emergency medical response, saving time and potentially lives in critical situations," according to Senate Bill 5689.
Washington is among the first states to allow residents to include their blood type on state-issued IDs, preceded by states including Arkansas, Georgia and Virginia.
When the law goes into effect next January 1, the Washington State Department of Transportation will be required to offer people renewing or applying for an ID a process through which they can submit their blood type information.
Blood type information will have to be verified by a licensed physician, medical facility or blood donation organization.
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