What's happening
This bill allows vehicle registrants to voluntarily indicate health conditions or disabilities that may impede communication with law enforcement.
Why it matters
Could improve safety and outcomes during traffic stops. by enabling law enforcement officers to know in advance if a driver has a health condition or disability that might affect their ability to communicate, potentially reducing misunderstandings or escalation.
Protects sensitive health information. by ensuring that any disclosed health or disability details are kept confidential by the DMV, only shared with law enforcement during relevant traffic stops.
Supports individuals with both physical and mental health conditions. by allowing verification from either a licensed physician or psychologist, making the process accessible to a wider range of people with communication-related disabilities.
Empowers registrants with voluntary disclosure. so individuals can choose whether or not to provide this information, balancing personal privacy with possible safety benefits.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Flag Communication Disabilities on Registration
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Note Disabilities on Registrations
In Senate Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Timothy M. Kennedy
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8691
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
October 23, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. HUNTER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to designating a health condition or disability that may impede communication on a vehicle registration
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 401 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new paragraph c to read as follows:
c. (a) The commissioner shall provide space on each application submitted pursuant to paragraph b of this subdivision for the applicant to voluntarily indicate that such applicant has a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication with a law enforcement officer. The department may request verification from a person who makes an indication under this paragraph in the form of:
(i) for a physical health condition, a written statement from a licensed physician; or
(ii) for a mental health condition, a written statement from a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist.
(b) The commissioner shall establish a system to make information received pursuant to subparagraph (a) of this paragraph available to alert a law enforcement officer who makes a traffic stop that the operator of the stopped vehicle may have a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication.
(c) Except as provided by subparagraph (b) of this paragraph, information supplied to the department relating to an applicant's health condition or disability is for the confidential use of the department and shall not be disclosed to any person.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13851-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.