ST. PAUL, MN - Starting in July, Minnesota blood drives will be open to more teenagers. Governor Tim Pawlenty has signed into law a bill that lowers the legal age for blood donors from 17 years old to 16 years old. The younger donors would be allowed to donate blood with a parent's permission, but they won't be able to donate for money.

Blooming Prairie High School sophomore Joe Gibson came up with the law change after being turned away from a school blood drive. He looked on as Pawlenty signed the bill. He says he "can't wait" to take advantage of the law and says he plans to bring a bunch of his friends to donate blood as soon as it takes effect.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)