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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1015 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2253
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Jason M. Lewis
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to strengthen the review process for a medically conditioned license to operate a motor
vehicle.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Jason M. LewisFifth Middlesex 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1015 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2253
By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2253) of Jason M. Lewis for
legislation to strengthen the review process for a medically conditioned license to operate a
motor vehicle. Transportation.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2348 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act to strengthen the review process for a medically conditioned license to operate a motor
vehicle.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 8C of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the section in its entirety and inserting in place
3thereof the following section:-
4 “Section 8C. There is hereby created in the registry a medical advisory board, consisting
5of the commissioner of the department of public health or his designee, who shall serve as
6chairman thereof, and fifteen members appointed by the registrar and approved by said
7commissioner, who shall be registered under the laws of the commonwealth as qualified
8physicians, optometrists or chiropractors, but not more than one of said appointees shall be a
9chiropractor and not more than one of said appointees shall be an optometrist. The members of 2 of 3
10the said board except said commissioner, shall serve at the pleasure of the registrar. The registrar
11may refer to said board for advisory opinions on standards of fitness for applicants for learner's
12permits or licenses to operate motor vehicles, and, in addition, for advisory opinions on the
13applications of persons who apply for learner's permits or licenses to operate motor vehicles or
14whose right to operate has been suspended or revoked, or whenever the registrar has reason to
15believe that the operation of a motor vehicle by such persons upon any way or in any place to
16which members of the public have access as invitees or licensees would be a threat to the safety
17and the welfare of the public because of physical or mental disability. The board shall develop a
18more stringent review process for the review of applications submitted by operators who have
19had a license suspended or revoked due to the driver’s demonstrated inability to operate a vehicle
20because of an illness that requires ongoing monitoring and active management of the illness.
21This review shall examine closely the driving and criminal record of the applicant. The registrar,
22upon the recommendation of the board, shall either deny or conditionally approve the
23application. If the application is conditionally approved, the registrar shall condition the license
24with reasonable requirements that the operator demonstrate their continued ability to responsibly
25operate a motor vehicle through responsible management and treatment of their condition. Upon
26receipt of an application for a medical exemption for the benefit of the owner or operator of a
27motor vehicle whose vision is determined by the board to be light sensitive or photosensitive,
28said board shall grant an exemption indicating the need for special window treatment as a
29medical necessity. The board shall meet at the call of said commissioner at such times and places
30as he may select, but shall convene at the request of the registrar. Said commissioner shall
31provide such facilities as he may determine to be necessary or appropriate to the function of the 3 of 3
32board. Each member of the board shall receive as compensation for his service thereon a sum not
33to exceed thirty-five dollars for each meeting he attends."