Bill Text: TX SB976 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: 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.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-10 - Effective on 9/1/19 [SB976 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-SB976-Introduced.html

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86R11414 JXC-D
By: Hughes S.B. No. 976

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 that may impede communication.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.061 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.061. REGISTRATION BY OWNER WITH CONDITION THAT
IMPEDES COMMUNICATION. (a) An application for registration must
provide space for the applicant to voluntarily list any health
condition that may impede communication with a peace officer as
evidenced by:
(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.
(b) The department shall provide to the Department of Public
Safety the vehicle registration information of a person who
voluntarily lists a health condition on an application under
Subsection (a).
(c) The Department of Public Safety shall establish a system
to include information received under Subsection (b) in the Texas
Law Enforcement Telecommunications System for the purpose of
alerting a peace officer who makes a traffic stop that the operator
of the stopped vehicle may have a health condition that may impede
communication.
(d) The department may not issue a license plate with a
visible marking that indicates to the general public that a person
voluntarily listed a health condition on an application under
Subsection (a).
(e) Information supplied to the department relating to an
applicant's health condition is for the confidential use of the
department and the Department of Public Safety and may not be
disclosed to any person.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.