85R13161 JXC-F     By: Klick H.B. No. 2978       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the notification of a peace officer through an   indication associated with vehicle registration or a driver's   license that a person has a health condition that may impede   communication.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,   is amended by adding Section 502.061 to read as follows:          Sec. 502.061.  REGISTRATION BY OWNER WITH CONDITION THAT   IMPEDES COMMUNICATION. (a)  An application for registration must   provide space for the applicant to voluntarily list any health   condition that may impede communication with a peace officer as   evidenced by:                (1)  for a physical health condition, a written   statement from a licensed physician; or                (2)  for a mental health condition, a written statement   from a licensed physician, a licensed psychologist, or a   non-physician mental health professional, as defined by Section   571.003, Health and Safety Code.          (b)  The department shall provide to the Department of Public   Safety the vehicle registration information of a person who   voluntarily lists a health condition on an application under   Subsection (a).          (c)  The Department of Public Safety shall establish a system   to include information received under Subsection (b) in the Texas   Law Enforcement Telecommunication System for the purpose of   alerting a peace officer who makes a traffic stop that the operator   of the stopped vehicle may have a health condition that may impede   communication.          (d)  The department may not issue a license plate with a   visible marking that indicates to the general public that a person   voluntarily listed a health condition on an application under   Subsection (a).          SECTION 2.  Sections 521.142(e-1) and (h), Transportation   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (e-1)  Subject to Subsection (h)(2), other [Other] than a   general inquiry as to whether the applicant has a mental condition   that may affect the applicant's ability to safely operate a motor   vehicle, an application may not include an inquiry regarding the   mental health of the applicant, including an inquiry as to whether   the applicant has been diagnosed with, treated for, or hospitalized   for a psychiatric disorder.          (h)  The application must provide space for the applicant to   voluntarily list any health condition that may impede communication   with a peace officer as evidenced by:                (1)  for a physical health condition, a written   statement from a licensed physician; or                (2)  for a mental health condition, a written statement   from a licensed physician, a licensed psychologist, or a   non-physician mental health professional, as defined by Section   571.003, Health and Safety Code.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.