Allows individuals to apply to display a symbol on their driver's licenses or state-issued ID cards indicating that the individual has a non-apparent disability to assist law enforcement and emergency personnel in providing appropriate support during interactions.
Impact
The implementation of this bill has the potential to significantly affect how individuals with non-apparent disabilities are treated by law enforcement and emergency services. By clearly marking their status, it aims to create an understanding and provide necessary support during interactions that may otherwise be challenging. The bill emphasizes the importance of privacy, ensuring that information related to the disability remains confidential and is not disclosed without the individual's authorization.
Summary
Bill S07937 proposes to amend the vehicle and traffic laws in New York by allowing individuals to voluntarily apply for a symbol on their driver's licenses or state-issued ID cards that indicates they have a non-apparent disability. This innovative approach aims to assist law enforcement and emergency personnel in recognizing and appropriately responding to the needs of individuals who may have documented disabilities that are not visibly apparent. The nature of these disabilities can span physical, mental, intellectual, or neurological conditions that may impact communication or interaction in stressful environments.
Contention
However, the bill could also raise concerns regarding how the symbol is perceived by the public and law enforcement alike. While the intent is to foster understanding, there are worries that the presence of a disability indicator might lead to unintended consequences, such as discrimination or stigma. Moreover, defining the symbol and how it is to be used in practice may spark debates over its effectiveness and appropriateness. The legislative discussions surrounding this bill will likely focus on balancing the needs for visibility and support against the imperative of privacy and the avoidance of any form of profiling.
Same As
Allows individuals to apply to display a symbol on their driver's licenses or state-issued ID cards indicating that the individual has a non-apparent disability to assist law enforcement and emergency personnel in providing appropriate support during interactions.
Relates to public health emergency allowances against sentences for certain incarcerated individuals; allows up to twelve months of public health emergency allowances to be given to incarcerated individuals during a public health crisis.
Requires police officer training programs on interacting with individuals with a disability with special emphasis on the techniques needed to improve interactions with individuals that are blind or deaf or hard of hearing; provides such training shall be created in consultation with the justice center for the protection of people with special needs.
Requires police officer training programs on interacting with individuals with a disability with special emphasis on the techniques needed to improve interactions with individuals that are blind or deaf or hard of hearing; provides such training shall be created in consultation with the justice center for the protection of people with special needs.
Provides for automatic issuance of identification cards to incarcerated individuals and assistance with obtaining copies of any documents needed to apply for identification cards, including, but not limited to, an incarcerated individual's social security card and birth certificate.
Provides for automatic issuance of identification cards to incarcerated individuals and assistance with obtaining copies of any documents needed to apply for identification cards, including, but not limited to, an incarcerated individual's social security card and birth certificate.
Requires fares for paratransit services providing public transportation for eligible individuals with disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from using public buses and subways for some or all of their trips, to be made available at the same fares for individuals with disabilities or health conditions who are able to utilize public buses and subways.
Requires fares for paratransit services providing public transportation for eligible individuals with disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from using public buses and subways for some or all of their trips, to be made available at the same fares for individuals with disabilities or health conditions who are able to utilize public buses and subways.
Relates to the issuance of driver's licenses and emergency medical personnel designation; allows the use of alternate forms of identification where an applicant for a driver's license does not have a social security number or Individual Tax Identification Number.
Requires the office for people with developmental disabilities to produce and publish a report to assess the staffing and other issues causing the continued displacement of individuals with developmental disabilities from various state-operated institutions under the jurisdiction of the office for people with developmental disabilities.