88R10030 MZM-D
By: Guerra H.B. No. 3132
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an optional designation on a driver's license or
personal identification certificate indicating that a person has a
hearing impairment.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 521.060(a) and (c), Transportation
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) The department shall maintain in its files a record of
the name, address, and telephone number of each individual
identified by the holder of a driver's license or personal
identification certificate as an individual the holder authorizes
to be contacted in the event that the holder is injured or dies in or
as a result of a vehicular accident or another emergency situation.
In addition, the department shall maintain in its files a record of
any medical information described by Section 521.125(a) that is
provided to the department under Subsection (c) or any health
condition information that is voluntarily provided to the
department under Sections 521.1251 and [Section] 521.142(h).
(c) An application for an original, renewal, or duplicate
driver's license or personal identification certificate must:
(1) be designed to allow, but not require, the
applicant to provide:
(A) the name, address, and telephone number of
not more than two individuals to be contacted if the applicant is
injured or dies in a circumstance described by Subsection (a); and
(B) in addition to health condition information
voluntarily provided under Sections 521.1251 and [Section]
521.142(h), medical information described by Section 521.125(a);
and
(2) include a statement that:
(A) describes the confidential nature of the
information; and
(B) states that by providing the department with
the information, the applicant consents to the limited disclosure
and use of the information.
SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 521, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 521.1251 to read as follows:
Sec. 521.1251. OPTIONAL HEARING IMPAIRMENT DESIGNATION.
(a) The department shall provide to each applicant for the issuance
of an original, renewal, corrected, or duplicate driver's license
or personal identification certificate who applies in person, by
mail, over the Internet, or by other electronic means the
opportunity to voluntarily indicate on a driver's license or
personal identification certificate that the person has a hearing
impairment as evidenced by a written statement from a licensed
physician.
(b) The department shall include a designation that
indicates the person has a hearing impairment on each driver's
license or personal identification certificate issued to a person
who:
(1) makes an election under this section; and
(2) provides sufficient evidence under Subsection (a)
to qualify for the designation.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.