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HB 2096

AN ACT relating to the notification of a peace officer through an

House Bill Martinez
Filed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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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

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the notification of a peace officer through an