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AN ACT
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relating to an optional health condition or disability designation |
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on a driver's license or personal identification certificate. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 521.060(a) and (c), Transportation |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The department shall maintain in its files a record of |
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the name, address, and telephone number of each individual |
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identified by the holder of a driver's license or personal |
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identification certificate as an individual the holder authorizes |
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to be contacted in the event that the holder is injured or dies in or |
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as a result of a vehicular accident or another emergency situation. |
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In addition, the department shall maintain in its files a record of |
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any medical information described by Section 521.125(a) that is |
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provided to the department under Subsection (c) or any health |
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condition information that is voluntarily provided to the |
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department under Sections 521.1251 and [Section] 521.142(h). |
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(c) An application for an original, renewal, or duplicate |
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driver's license or personal identification certificate must: |
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(1) be designed to allow, but not require, the |
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applicant to provide: |
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(A) the name, address, and telephone number of |
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not more than two individuals to be contacted if the applicant is |
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injured or dies in a circumstance described by Subsection (a); and |
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(B) in addition to health condition information |
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voluntarily provided under Sections 521.1251 and [Section] |
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521.142(h), medical information described by Section 521.125(a); |
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and |
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(2) include a statement that: |
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(A) describes the confidential nature of the |
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information; and |
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(B) states that by providing the department with |
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the information, the applicant consents to the limited disclosure |
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and use of the information. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 521.1251 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 521.1251. OPTIONAL HEALTH CONDITION OR DISABILITY |
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DESIGNATION. (a) The department shall provide to each applicant |
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for the issuance of an original, renewal, corrected, or duplicate |
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driver's license or personal identification certificate who |
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applies in person the opportunity to voluntarily indicate on a |
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driver's license or personal identification certificate that the |
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person has a health condition or disability that may impede |
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effective communication with a peace officer. The department may |
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request 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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a licensed physician, including a psychiatrist. |
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(b) The department shall include a designation that |
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indicates the person has a health condition or disability that may |
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impede effective communication with a peace officer on each |
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driver's license or personal identification certificate issued to a |
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person who: |
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(1) makes an election under this section; and |
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(2) provides sufficient evidence under Subsection (a) |
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to qualify for the designation. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 656 passed the Senate on |
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March 21, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 656 passed the House on |
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May 9, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 132, Nays 10, |
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two present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |