Bill Text: TX HB658 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced

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

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Bill Title: Relating to voting by voters with certain disabilities or voters who reside at a residential care facility.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-2)

Status: (Passed) 2017-06-15 - Effective on 9/1/17 [HB658 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB658-Introduced.html

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By: Bernal H.B. No. 658

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to priority voting for voters with certain disabilities
substantially impairing mobility.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 63, Election Code, is amended by adding
Section 63.0013 to read as follows:
Sec. 63.0013. ACCEPTING VOTERS WITH CERTAIN DISABILITIES.
(a) In this section, "mobility problem that substantially impairs
a person's ability to ambulate" has the meaning assigned by Section
681.001, Transportation Code.
(b) An election officer may accept a person with a mobility
problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to ambulate
who is offering to vote before accepting others offering to vote at
the polling place who arrived before the person.
(c) Notice of the priority given to persons with a mobility
problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to ambulate
shall be posted:
(1) at one or more locations in each polling place
where it can be read by persons waiting to vote;
(2) on the Internet website of the secretary of state;
and
(3) each Internet website relating to elections
maintained by a county.
(d) The notice required by Subsection (c) must read:
"Pursuant to Section 63.0013, Election Code, an election officer
may give voting order priority to individuals with a mobility
problem that substantially impairs the person's ability to move
around ("ambulate"). If you have a mobility-related problem, or
disability that qualifies you for a disabled parking placard,
please inform an election officer at your polling place. In
accordance with Section 681.001, Transportation Code, a mobility
problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to ambulate
means that the person suffers from the following: paralysis; lung
disease; uses portable oxygen; cardiac deficiency; is severely
limited in the ability to walk because of an arthritic,
neurological, or orthopedic condition wheelchair confinement;
arthritis; foot disorder; cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to
rest; or another medical condition causing a person to use a brace,
cane, crutch, or other assistive device.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.