Regular Session 2019-2020 House Bill 1817 P.N. 2480

PRINTER'S NO. 2480

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No.

1817

Session of

2019

INTRODUCED BY D. MILLER, KOSIEROWSKI, HILL-EVANS, A. DAVIS,

RAVENSTAHL, CALTAGIRONE, McNEILL, SCHLOSSBERG, OTTEN,

FRANKEL, YOUNGBLOOD, McCLINTON, DeLUCA, MADDEN, DEASY,

SAINATO AND HOWARD, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019

AN ACT

Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated

Statutes, in licensing of drivers, further providing for

issuance and content of driver's license.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 1510 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania

Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a subsection to read:

§ 1510. Issuance and content of driver's license.

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(a.2) Disability designation.--

(1) An individual who is diagnosed with a disability may

request to have a disability identifier symbol placed on the

individual's driver's license or identification card. The

following shall apply:

(i) At the individual's voluntary request, the

department shall issue the individual's driver's license

or identification card bearing the disability identifier

symbol if the individual presents the department with a

sworn statement signed by a qualified medical

professional certifying that the individual has a

disability. A qualified medical professional may only

issue the certification if the disability that is the

subject of the disability identifier symbol is within the

scope of practice of the medical professional.

(ii) The individual shall not be required to provide

further documentation that the individual has a

disability for the purpose of renewal or reissuance of

the driver's license or identification card that bears a

disability identifier symbol.

(2) A disability identifier symbol placed on an

individual's driver's license or identification card must:

(i) be discreet; and

(ii) represent all types of disabilities, including

cognitive, mental, neurological and physical

disabilities.

(3) The department may not charge a fee for placing a

disability identifier symbol on a driver's license or

identification card.

(4) The department shall create a form for a qualified

medical professional to certify that an individual has a

disability for the purpose of issuing a driver's license or

identification card with a disability identifier symbol.

(5) By submitting the request under paragraph (1), the

individual consents for the department to make public the

disability on the individual's driver's license or

identification card.

(6) A parent or guardian of an individual under 18 years

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of age or under guardianship may request a disability

identifier symbol to be placed on the individual's driver's

license or identification card. The requirements and

conditions specified under this subsection regarding the

disability identifier symbol shall apply in the case of the

request made by the parent or guardian.

(7) The department shall promulgate regulations

necessary to administer this subsection.

(8) As used in this subsection, the following words and

phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this

paragraph unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Disability." Includes a cognitive, mental, neurological

or physical impairment that substantially limits an

individual's movements, senses or activities.

"Qualified medical professional." Any of the following:

(i) A licensed physician.

(ii) A licensed chiropractor.

(iii) A licensed psychiatrist.

(iv) A commissioned medical officer of the armed

forces of the United States.

(v) A licensed physician assistant.

(vi) A licensed podiatrist.

(vii) A certified registered nurse practitioner.

(viii) A licensed psychologist.

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Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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