An advisory committee to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge yesterday approved a plan that would make the Keystone State the first to legalize payments in return for donated human organs, a practice that has long been taboo.

The state health department said the plan must be approved by the Pennsylvania secretary of health and the governor before it is implemented.

If the plan goes forward, Pennsylvania would start making $300 payments towards funeral payments incurred by families who have donated the organs of a relative who died.