ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4651

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 9, 2021

      The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4651.

      As amended and reported, this bill requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (chief administrator), in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services (commissioner), the Superintendent of the Division of State Police within the Department of Law and Public Safety (State Police), and at least one organization that advocates on behalf of persons who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, to design a special driver’s license and non-driver identification card bearing a digital imprint that may be utilized by a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.  The special driver’s license or non-driver identification card is to be issued to any eligible person upon application.  No additional fee is to be charged for the driver’s license or non-driver identification card.

     The bill also requires that the chief administrator, in consultation with the commissioner, establish the documentation required to be produced by a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, or by the parent, guardian, or caregiver of the person, in order to receive a special driver’s license or non-driver identification card.

     The bill requires the commission, in consultation with the commissioner, Superintendent of the State Police, and at least one advocate organization, to provide written guidance to assist law enforcement officers in effectively communicating with a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.  The commission is required to distribute the written guidance to each police department in the State.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to eliminate the requirement of creating a blue envelope for individuals who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and replace that provision with a requirement that the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) design and issue a special driver’s license or non-driver identification card bearing a digital imprint. The amendments require the chief administrator to issue the special driver’s license or non-driver identification card upon application and provide that no additional fee is to be charged above the required fee for a driver’s license or non-driver identification card.  The amendments also provide that the commission is to consult with the Commissioner of Human Services, Superintendent of the State Police, and at least one advocate organization, to provide written guidance to assist law enforcement officers in effectively communicating with a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, which written guidance is to be distributed to each police department in the State.