Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Safe Act Dmvs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate committee gives favorable report to SAFE Act allowing voluntary DMV 'SAFE' designation for certain diagnoses
Summary
The committee gave a favorable report to S585, the SAFE Act, which would let motor-vehicle registrants voluntarily indicate specified diagnoses so the DMV can add a non-identifying 'SAFE' marker to the motor-vehicle record; law enforcement supported the measure in committee remarks.
The Senate Transportation Committee on Oct. 12 gave a favorable report to S585, the Safeguarding American Families Everywhere Act (SAFE Act), a bill that would allow applicants for motor vehicle registration to voluntarily designate that they or a household member have certain diagnoses so the Department of Motor Vehicles may add a non-identifying "SAFE" designation to the motor-vehicle record.
David Owens presented the bill to the committee, listing conditions that registrants could voluntarily indicate, including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, Alzheimer's and related dementias, and other listed conditions. Owens told the committee that if a registrant elects the designation, the DMV "must include the designation SAFE in the motor vehicle record" but "may not include personal identifying information or the diagnosis itself in the motor-vehicle record," language the committee cited as protecting privacy while signaling law enforcement.
The Senator from Charleston said she had discussed the proposal with Senator Adams and noted law-enforcement support, saying it helps officers prepare for interactions. Committee members moved and seconded a favorable report; the vote was recorded as a voice vote with "the ayes have it." Specific numeric tallies were not provided in the hearing record.
Key features in committee discussion:
- Participation would be voluntary. Registrants could add or remove the SAFE designation at any time.
- DMV must refrain from including personal identifying information or the specific diagnosis in motor-vehicle records.
- Sponsors named in the hearing record: Senators Tedder and Adams (bill sponsors listed by staff presentation).
Committee action: The committee moved and seconded a favorable report on S585 and recorded a voice vote in favor; the bill will proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.
