Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Disability Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House unanimously passes bill allowing voluntary autism designation on driver records, adds training requirements for officers
Summary
House Bill 21 would let a driver's license holder voluntarily add an autism-spectrum designation to electronic DMV records and requires minimum training standards for criminal justice officers to interact appropriately with people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or on the autism spectrum; it passed the House 118–0 and now goes to the Senate.
The North Carolina House on March 18 approved House Bill 21, which would allow a voluntary designation in a driver's electronic record indicating that the license holder has an autism spectrum disorder, and would establish minimum training standards for criminal-justice officers on interacting with persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or on the autism spectrum. The bill passed its second reading and was read a third time by voice; the clerk recorded 118 yeas and no nays.
Representative Penny, sponsor of the bill, described the measure on the floor: the Department of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with other entities, would create an entry in the electronic record associated with the requesting person's driver's license; inclusion or removal of the designation is voluntary and must be made by the person who holds the license. Penny said the measure also would “establish minimum educational and training standards for employment and continuing education for criminal justice officers, recognizing and appropriately interacting with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and persons with autism spectrum disorder.”
Lawmakers who spoke in support related personal experience and public‑safety rationales. Representative Quicke told the chamber that prevalence estimates cited in the debate — “1 in 45 adults ... and some estimates say 1 in 34 children” — show why the measure could help officials recognize and respond safely to citizens on the spectrum. Representative Joe and Gerard (as identified on the floor) said he has an autistic brother and offered his support.
The measure does not require the designation; the floor presentation emphasized the voluntary nature of the entry and the confidentiality of the person's decision to include or remove it. The bill now goes to the North Carolina Senate for consideration.
