HB 2096
AN ACT relating to the notification of a peace officer through an
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Allows vehicle owners to voluntarily indicate on their vehicle registration that they have a health condition or disability that might make communication with a peace officer challenging. The Department of Motor Vehicles will provide this registration information to the Department of Public Safety, but will only specify the broad category of disability (such as speech or language impairment) without revealing specific medical details. Vehicle owners can provide optional verification from medical professionals like physicians, psychologists, or other qualified health professionals, ensuring privacy while helping law enforcement understand potential communication difficulties during interactions.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
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 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 502.061, Transportation Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to (a) An application for registration must provide space for the applicant to voluntarily indicate that the applicant has a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication with a peace officer. The department may request from a person who makes an indication under this subsection verification of a condition in the form of a written statement from, as appropriate for the person's condition or disability, a [: [(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, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, audiologist, school psychologist, or other (b) For each person who voluntarily indicated on an application under Subsection (a) that the person has a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication, (1) provide to the Department of Public Safety the vehicle registration information of the person; and (2) inform the Department of Public Safety whether the person's health condition or disability is categorized as: (A) a speech or language impairment; (b-1) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the [a person who voluntarily indicated on an application under Subsection (a) that the person has a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication. The] department may not provide to the Department of Public Safety information that shows the type of health condition or disability a person has. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the notification of a peace officer through an
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