Bill Text: TX HB2978 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the notification of a peace officer through an indication associated with vehicle registration or a driver's license that a person has a health condition that may impede communication.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-03-23 - Referred to Homeland Security & Public Safety [HB2978 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB2978-Introduced.html

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85R13161 JXC-F
By: Klick H.B. No. 2978

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the notification of a peace officer through an
indication associated with vehicle registration or a driver's
license 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 Telecommunication 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).
SECTION 2. Sections 521.142(e-1) and (h), Transportation
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(e-1) Subject to Subsection (h)(2), other [Other] than a
general inquiry as to whether the applicant has a mental condition
that may affect the applicant's ability to safely operate a motor
vehicle, an application may not include an inquiry regarding the
mental health of the applicant, including an inquiry as to whether
the applicant has been diagnosed with, treated for, or hospitalized
for a psychiatric disorder.
(h) The application 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.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.