Bill Text: NJ A4064 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires vision screening test for renewal of driver's license.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-06-04 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee [A4064 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A4064-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman YVONNE LOPEZ
District 19 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Requires vision screening test for renewal of driver's license.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning driver's license requirements, amending P.L.1977, c.28, and repealing section 2 of P.L.1977, c.28.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.1977, c.28 (C.39:3-10c) is amended to read as follows:
1. The [division] New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission shall require every licensed driver to take and successfully pass a vision screening [of his vision at least once every 10 years] test, by attaining 20/40 or better vision in each eye, with or without corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses, as measured by the Snellen Chart, as a condition for the renewal of [his] a driver's license and of any endorsement thereon. When there is no vision in one eye, a licensed driver shall take and successfully pass a vision screening test by attaining 20/40 or better vision in the eye with vision, with or without corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses, as measured by the Snellen Chart, as a condition for the renewal of a driver's license and of any endorsement thereon.
The results of the vision screening test may be certified [by the division or] by any licensed optometrist [or] , ophthalmologist, [licensed] ophthalmic dispenser [or by any person licensed to practice medicine and surgery] , optician, physician, physician's assistant, or registered nurse.
If the vision screening test shows a need for corrective eyeglasses or [any other corrective action] contact lenses, the renewal of the applicant's license shall be conditioned upon [his] the applicant's compliance with such need. If the vision screening test shows a need for telescopic lenses or indicates that the applicant's night vision is impaired, the commission shall issue a driver's license bearing a numerical code indicating that the applicant has either such restriction. The [division] commission may require a road test of any applicant to determine the adequacy of, or the applicant's adaptation to the required corrective action.
The [division] commission shall, by regulation, prescribe minimum standards with respect to the equipment to be used for [screenings] vision screening tests.
(cf: P.L.1989, c.15, s.1)
2. Section 2 of P.L.1977, c.28 (C.39:3-10d) is repealed.
3. This act shall take effect on the first day of the thirteenth month following enactment and shall apply only to driver's licenses renewed on or after this date. The Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission may take such anticipatory administrative actions in advance of the effective date of this act as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act
STATEMENT
This bill requires a vision screening test for the renewal of a driver's license. The bill requires that an applicant take and successfully pass a vision screening test by attaining 20/40 or better vision in each eye as measured by the Snellen Chart as a condition for the renewal of a driver's license. When there is no vision in one eye, an applicant is required to take and successfully pass a vision screening test by attaining 20/40 or better vision in the eye with vision, with or without corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses, as measured by the Snellen Chart, as a condition for the renewal of a driver's license.
The bill expands the list of those persons permitted to certify the results of a vision screening test while eliminating the commission as a certifying entity. The results of a vision screening test may be certified by a licensed optometrist, ophthalmologist, ophthalmic dispenser, optician, physician, physician's assistant, or registered nurse.
Under current law, a vision screening test for the renewal of a driver's license is required only once every 10 years and is permitted to be certified by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) or by a licensed optometrist, ophthalmologist, ophthalmic dispenser, or by any person licensed to practice medicine and surgery.
The bill also requires that if a vision screening test shows a need for telescopic lenses or indicates that the applicant's night vision is impaired, the commission is to issue a driver's license bearing a numerical code indicating that the applicant has either restriction.
