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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for persons |
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who are deaf or hard of hearing and to deaf or hard of hearing driver |
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training for peace officers; authorizing a fee. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 504.204 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 504.204. PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING. |
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(a) In this section, "deaf" and "hard of hearing" have the |
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meanings assigned by Section 81.001, Human Resources Code. |
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(b) The department shall design and issue specialty license |
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plates for a motor vehicle that is regularly operated by a person |
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who is deaf or hard of hearing. A license plate issued under this |
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section must include an emblem indicating that the person operating |
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the vehicle is deaf or hard of hearing. |
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(c) The initial application for specialty license plates |
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under this section must be accompanied by a written statement from a |
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physician who is licensed to practice medicine in this state or in a |
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state adjacent to this state or who is authorized by applicable law |
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to practice medicine in a hospital or other health facility of the |
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Department of Veterans Affairs. The statement must certify that |
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the person making the application is deaf or hard of hearing. |
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(d) The fee for a set of license plates issued under this |
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section is $8. |
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SECTION 2. Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (l) to read as follows: |
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(l) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the |
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commission shall establish a statewide comprehensive education and |
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training program on procedures for interacting with drivers who are |
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deaf or hard of hearing, as defined by Section 81.001, Human |
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Resources Code, including identifying specialty license plates |
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issued to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing under Section |
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504.204, Transportation Code. An officer shall complete a program |
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established under this subsection not later than the second |
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anniversary of the date the officer is licensed under this chapter |
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or the date the officer applies for an intermediate proficiency |
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certificate, whichever date is earlier. |
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SECTION 3. Not later than March 1, 2016, the Texas |
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Commission on Law Enforcement shall establish the deaf or hard of |
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hearing driver training program as required by Section 1701.253(l), |
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Occupations Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect January 1, 2016. |