85R13161 JXC-F
 
  By: Klick H.B. No. 2978
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the notification of a peace officer through an
  indication associated with vehicle registration or a driver's
  license that a person has a health condition that may impede
  communication.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 502.061 to read as follows:
         Sec. 502.061.  REGISTRATION BY OWNER WITH CONDITION THAT
  IMPEDES COMMUNICATION. (a)  An application for registration must
  provide space for the applicant to voluntarily list any health
  condition that may impede communication with a peace officer as
  evidenced by:
               (1)  for a physical health condition, a written
  statement from a licensed physician; or
               (2)  for a mental health condition, a written statement
  from a licensed physician, a licensed psychologist, or a
  non-physician mental health professional, as defined by Section
  571.003, Health and Safety Code.
         (b)  The department shall provide to the Department of Public
  Safety the vehicle registration information of a person who
  voluntarily lists a health condition on an application under
  Subsection (a).
         (c)  The Department of Public Safety shall establish a system
  to include information received under Subsection (b) in the Texas
  Law Enforcement Telecommunication System for the purpose of
  alerting a peace officer who makes a traffic stop that the operator
  of the stopped vehicle may have a health condition that may impede
  communication.
         (d)  The department may not issue a license plate with a
  visible marking that indicates to the general public that a person
  voluntarily listed a health condition on an application under
  Subsection (a).
         SECTION 2.  Sections 521.142(e-1) and (h), Transportation
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (e-1)  Subject to Subsection (h)(2), other [Other] than a
  general inquiry as to whether the applicant has a mental condition
  that may affect the applicant's ability to safely operate a motor
  vehicle, an application may not include an inquiry regarding the
  mental health of the applicant, including an inquiry as to whether
  the applicant has been diagnosed with, treated for, or hospitalized
  for a psychiatric disorder.
         (h)  The application must provide space for the applicant to
  voluntarily list any health condition that may impede communication
  with a peace officer as evidenced by:
               (1)  for a physical health condition, a written
  statement from a licensed physician; or
               (2)  for a mental health condition, a written statement
  from a licensed physician, a licensed psychologist, or a
  non-physician mental health professional, as defined by Section
  571.003, Health and Safety Code.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.