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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the notification of a peace officer through an |
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indication associated with vehicle registration that a person has a |
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health condition or disability that may impede effective |
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communication. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 502.061, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) An application for registration must provide space for |
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the applicant to voluntarily indicate that the applicant has a |
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health condition or disability that may impede effective |
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communication with a peace officer. The department may request |
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from a person who makes an indication under this subsection |
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verification of a condition in the form of a written statement from, |
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as appropriate for the person's condition or disability, a [: |
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[(1) for a physical health condition, a written |
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statement from a] licensed physician, [; or |
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[(2) for a mental health condition, a written |
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statement from a licensed physician, a] licensed psychologist, [or |
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a] non-physician mental health professional, as defined by Section |
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571.003, Health and Safety Code, speech-language pathologist, |
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occupational therapist, audiologist, school psychologist, or other |
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health care provider. |
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(b) For each person who voluntarily indicated on an |
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application under Subsection (a) that the person has a health |
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condition or disability that may impede effective communication, |
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the [The] department shall: |
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(1) provide to the Department of Public Safety the |
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vehicle registration information of the person; and |
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(2) inform the Department of Public Safety whether the |
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person's health condition or disability is categorized as: |
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(A) a speech or language impairment; |
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(B) a hearing impairment; or |
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(C) autism spectrum disorder. |
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(b-1) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the [a person |
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who voluntarily indicated on an application under Subsection (a) |
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that the person has a health condition or disability that may impede |
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effective communication. The] department may not provide to the |
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Department of Public Safety information that shows the type of |
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health condition or disability a person has. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |