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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the notification of a peace officer through an |
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indication associated with vehicle registration or a driver's |
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license that a person has a health condition that may impede |
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communication. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 502.061 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 502.061. REGISTRATION BY OWNER WITH CONDITION THAT |
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IMPEDES COMMUNICATION. (a) An application for registration must |
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provide space for the applicant to voluntarily list any health |
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condition that may impede communication with a peace officer as |
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evidenced by: |
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(1) for a physical health condition, a written |
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statement from a licensed physician; or |
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(2) for a mental health condition, a written statement |
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from a licensed physician, a licensed psychologist, or a |
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non-physician mental health professional, as defined by Section |
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571.003, Health and Safety Code. |
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(b) The department shall provide to the Department of Public |
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Safety the vehicle registration information of a person who |
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voluntarily lists a health condition on an application under |
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Subsection (a). |
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(c) The Department of Public Safety shall establish a system |
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to include information received under Subsection (b) in the Texas |
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Law Enforcement Telecommunications System for the purpose of |
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alerting a peace officer who makes a traffic stop that the operator |
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of the stopped vehicle may have a health condition that may impede |
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communication. |
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(d) The department may not issue a license plate with a |
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visible marking that indicates to the general public that a person |
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voluntarily listed a health condition on an application under |
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Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 2. Sections 521.142(e-1) and (h), Transportation |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(e-1) Subject to Subsection (h)(2), other [Other] than a |
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general inquiry as to whether the applicant has a mental condition |
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that may affect the applicant's ability to safely operate a motor |
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vehicle, an application may not include an inquiry regarding the |
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mental health of the applicant, including an inquiry as to whether |
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the applicant has been diagnosed with, treated for, or hospitalized |
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for a psychiatric disorder. |
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(h) The application must provide space for the applicant to |
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voluntarily list any health condition that may impede communication |
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with a peace officer as evidenced by: |
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(1) for a physical health condition, a written |
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statement from a licensed physician; or |
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(2) for a mental health condition, a written statement |
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from a licensed physician, a licensed psychologist, or a |
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non-physician mental health professional, as defined by Section |
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571.003, Health and Safety Code. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |