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Subcommittee advances bill allowing medical documentation for non-apparent disability designation on DMV records
Summary
House Bill 2116, as amended, was reported by the Transportation DMV Subcommittee 8-0. The bill would allow a licensed physician to document a non-apparent disability on certain DMV records to aid interactions with law enforcement and others; the committee approved a line amendment and heard support from disability advocates and DMV staff.
The House Transportation DMV Subcommittee voted 8-0 to report House Bill 2116, as amended, which would permit a licensed physician to document a non-apparent disability on DMV records for purposes of identification and communication in interactions such as traffic stops.
Delegate Karen Keys-Gamara presented HB 2116 and offered a line amendment; committee counsel read the amendment on the record. Counsel described the amendment as: strike except subsection L and on lines 101–104 strike “L when request by the applicant to the applicant's parent if the applicant is a minor or the applicant's guardian and upon presentation of a signed statement by a licensed physician confirming the applicant's condition, the department shall indicate on the applicant's learner's permit that the applicant has any condition listed in subsection K of section 46.2-342 or if the applicant is blind or vision impaired.” The amendment adds language to allow a physician to document a non-apparent disability.
Supporters who spoke online included Mrs. Wallace, a Fairfax County resident and activist, who referenced cases she said illustrate risks for people with invisible disabilities and urged the subcommittee to pass the bill. Alex Sprague, who identified as autistic, testified in favor and said the bill would reduce burdensome paperwork required to obtain such documentation. Brandon Bailey of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles told the committee that DMV had initial concerns but that the presented line amendments resolved those issues.
After discussion and the presentation of the amendment, a motion to report the bill as amended carried on a roll call of 8 to 0. The bill will move forward from the subcommittee.
The amendment and counsel’s reading referenced §46.2-342; the bill’s language is intended to create a documented process for non-apparent disabilities on DMV records to help protect people who may have communication difficulties during interactions with law enforcement or other officials.
