Bill Lets Registration Flag Tell DPS Which Condition You Have

The text as introduced · 346 words

90R5296 SZA-D

By: Martinez
H.B. No. 170

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the notification of a peace officer through an

indication associated with vehicle registration that a person has a

health condition or disability that may impede effective

communication.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 502.061(a) and (b), Transportation

Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) An application for registration must provide space for

the applicant to voluntarily indicate that the applicant has a

health condition or disability that may impede effective

communication with a peace officer. The department may request

from a person who makes an indication under this subsection

verification of a condition in the form of a written statement from,

as appropriate for the person's condition or disability, a [ :

[ (1) for a physical health condition, a written

statement from a ] licensed physician , [ ; or

[ (2) for a mental health condition, a written

statement from a licensed physician, a ] licensed psychologist, [ or

a ] non-physician mental health professional, as defined by Section

571.003, Health and Safety Code , speech-language pathologist,

occupational therapist, audiologist, school psychologist, or other

health care provider .

(b) For each person who voluntarily indicated on an

application under Subsection (a) that the person has a health

condition or disability that may impede effective communication,

the [ The ] department shall :

(1) provide to the Department of Public Safety the

vehicle registration information of the person; and

(2) inform the Department of Public Safety whether the

person:

(A) has a speech or language impairment;

(B) is deaf or has a hearing impairment; or

(C) has autism spectrum disorder [ a person who

voluntarily indicated on an application under Subsection (a) that

the person has a health condition or disability that may impede

effective communication. The department may not provide to the

Department of Public Safety information that shows the type of

health condition or disability a person has ].

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.