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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 11, 2019 03:51 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Thomas P. Murt |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Driver's License to Identify Communication Disorder |
| One of a police officer’s most difficult responsibilities is making a traffic stop. This is true as there is no such thing as a ‘routine’ traffic stop. Every traffic stop presents an unknown dynamic as a police officer does not know whom they are stopping - until identification is established by the officer. Questions, such as, 'will this be a standard traffic stop?', or 'will it present potentially serious outcomes?' - are presented to the officers on the scene. Many people with high-functioning Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome have a need and the ability to drive a motor vehicle. As part of their individual diagnosis, many have communication disabilities that might make them appear to be unwilling to communicate or cooperate with a police officer. It is critical for a police officer making a traffic stop of such drivers, to know something about the individual on approach, so they can handle the situation appropriately. In the future, I will be introducing legislation to support the voluntary addition of a “C” - Communication Impediment specification designation on their PA Drivers license or PA Identification Card. This is to officially designate and recognize this condition and to better prepare a Commonwealth law enforcement officer in these circumstances. The addition of this designation is 100% voluntary and can be described as a safety feature for both the driver or card holder, and the law enforcement officer involved. Please join me in co-sponsoring this effort to better prepare our law enforcement officers and improving the treatment of our individuals with communication challenges. |
Introduced as HB2094