SRC-AMY H.B. 1330 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1330 78R8341 JRJ-DBy: McReynolds (Staples) Infrastructure Development and Security 5/8/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, Texas law requires the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to include certain medical and emergency information on a Texas driver's license. However, a license holder does not have the opportunity to voluntarily alert a peace officer, through the license, of significant medical information that would assist in the communication between the two. H.B. 1330 authorizes an applicant to voluntarily list any pertinent medical information on a driver's license and requires that information to be printed on the back of the driver's license, if space allows. 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 Section 521.125, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 521.125. MEDICAL AND EMERGENCY INFORMATION ON LICENSE. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text. Includes in the list of required items to be printed on the back of a driver's license, any medical information provided by the license holder under Section 521.142(h) (Application for Original License), if space allows. (b) Requires the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), in addition to the requirements of Subsection (a)(1)(D), if space allows, to indicate any medical information by a uniform symbol or code on the face of the license where DPS indicates a restriction or endorsement. SECTION 2. Section 521.142, Transportation Code, by amending Subsection (f) and adding Subsection (h), as follows: (f) Provides that this subsection does not apply to information provided by an applicant under Subsection (h). (h) Requires the application to provide space for the application to voluntarily list any health condition that may impede communication with a peace officer as evidenced by a written statement from a licensed physician. SECTION 3. Effective date: January 1, 2004.