By: Menéndez, et al. S.B. No. 1987
(Minjarez)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for persons
who are deaf or hard of hearing and to deaf or hard of hearing driver
training for peace officers; authorizing a fee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 504, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 504.204 to read as follows:
Sec. 504.204. PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING.
(a) In this section, "deaf" and "hard of hearing" have the
meanings assigned by Section 81.001, Human Resources Code.
(b) The department shall design and issue specialty license
plates for a motor vehicle that is regularly operated by a person
who is deaf or hard of hearing. A license plate issued under this
section must include an emblem indicating that the person operating
the vehicle is deaf or hard of hearing.
(c) The initial application for specialty license plates
under this section must be accompanied by a written statement from a
physician who is licensed to practice medicine in this state or in a
state adjacent to this state or who is authorized by applicable law
to practice medicine in a hospital or other health facility of the
Department of Veterans Affairs. The statement must certify that
the person making the application is deaf or hard of hearing.
(d) The fee for a set of license plates issued under this
section is $8.
SECTION 2. Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (l) to read as follows:
(l) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the
commission shall establish a statewide comprehensive education and
training program on procedures for interacting with drivers who are
deaf or hard of hearing, as defined by Section 81.001, Human
Resources Code, including identifying specialty license plates
issued to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing under Section
504.204, Transportation Code. An officer shall complete a program
established under this subsection not later than the second
anniversary of the date the officer is licensed under this chapter
or the date the officer applies for an intermediate proficiency
certificate, whichever date is earlier.
SECTION 3. Not later than March 1, 2016, the Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement shall establish the deaf or hard of
hearing driver training program as required by Section 1701.253(l),
Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect January 1, 2016.