What's happening
This bill allows vehicle registrants to voluntarily indicate health conditions or disabilities that may impede communication with law enforcement during traffic stops.
Why it matters
Enhances safety and understanding during traffic stops. by allowing law enforcement to be aware, in advance, if a driver may have difficulty communicating due to a health condition or disability—potentially reducing misunderstandings or escalation.
Empowers individuals with communication barriers. to voluntarily disclose relevant health information, giving them a proactive way to inform authorities and possibly improve their own outcomes in stressful situations.
Protects sensitive health data. by restricting access to this information: it is only shared with law enforcement during a stop and otherwise remains confidential within the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Requires professional verification. of health or mental health conditions, ensuring that only substantiated needs are flagged, which may help prevent misuse or overuse of the system.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Note Disabilities on Registrations
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- 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.
Flag Communication Disabilities on Registration
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Pamela J. Hunter
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7561
IN SENATE
January 27, 2020
Introduced by Sen. KENNEDY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to establish an optional program with the DMV that allows drivers to submit medical records with their vehicle registration to indicate that they have an impairment that may affect their ability to communicate in the event of a traffic stop. Allowing police to have prior knowledge of potential communication impediments will decrease the likelihood that interactions will escalate into a violent situation and/or arrest.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends subdivision 1 of section 401 of the vehicle and traffic law by directing the commissioner of the DMV to provide space on regis- tration forms to indicate that an applicant has a health condition or disability that may impede ability to communicate. Verification can be submitted in written form from a licensed physician or mental health professional depending on the condition. The commissioner shall also establish a system to make this information available to a law enforce- ment officer who stops a vehicle. Information submitted to the DMV shall remain confidential and is only for the department's use.
Section 2 establishes the effective date on the ninetieth day after becoming law.
Justification
Allowing the option to provide relevant health information that may affect one's ability to communicate during a traffic stop can only improve outcomes of those traffic stops. While many may become anxious during a traffic stop, those with mental disabilities may struggle with communication or react in a way that law enforcement officers may not expect. While having impairment should not permit anyone to break the law, supplying this information may improve an officer's ability to deescalate a situation and lead to better outcomes for everyone involved.
Legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
90 days after becoming law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.