BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3132
88R23452 MZM-D	By: Guerra et al. (Eckhardt)
	Transportation
	5/15/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

It is uncommon for law enforcement officers to know American Sign Language, and misunderstandings in various situations sometimes lead to unfortunate outcomes. Currently, there is a "communication impediment with a peace officer" option for two groups of drivers license holders in Texas. Group one is people with slower processing speeds; those with autism, down syndrome, and individuals with a brain injury are examples of eligible conditions for this group. Group two is people who communicate differently; individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Despite the differences in communication impediments, the two groups use the same designation.

H.B. 3132 will specifically make available, an optional "deaf or hard of hearing" designation on Texas driver's licenses for individuals who are in group two; deaf and hard of hearing individuals. This will be a quicker notice for peace officers who interact with deaf or hard of hearing license holders.

H.B. 3132 amends current law relating to an optional designation on a driver's license or personal identification certificate indicating that a person is deaf or hard of hearing.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 521.060(a) and (c), Transportation Code, as follows:

(a) Requires the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) to maintain in its files a record of any medical information described by Section 521.125(a) (relating to requiring DPS to maintain in its files a record of the name, address, and telephone number of each individual identified by the holder of a driver's license or personal identification certificate as an individual the holder authorizes to be contacted in the event that the holder is injured or dies in or as a result of a vehicular accident or another emergency situation) that is provided to DPS under Subsection (c) (relating to requiring an application for an original, renewal, or duplicate driver's license or personal identification certificate to meet certain requirements) or any health condition information that is voluntarily provided to DPS under Section 521.1251 and another certain section.

(c) Makes a conforming change to this subsection.

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, by adding Section 521.1251, as follows:

Sec. 521.1251. OPTIONAL DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING DESIGNATION. (a) Requires DPS to provide to each applicant for the issuance of an original, renewal, corrected, or duplicate driver's license or personal identification certificate who applies in person the opportunity to voluntarily indicate on a driver's license or personal identification certificate that the person is deaf or hard of hearing as evidenced by a written statement from a licensed physician.

(b) Requires DPS to include a designation that indicates the person is deaf or hard of hearing on each driver's license or personal identification certificate issued to a person who:

(1) makes an election under this section; and

(2) provides sufficient evidence under Subsection (a) to qualify for the designation.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.