ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4651

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 6, 2022

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4651 (1R), with committee amendments.

      As amended and reported, this bill requires the Chief Administrator (chief administrator) of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to allow the holder of a driver’s license or non-driver identification card to indicate that the person has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or communication disorder, upon request of the person and submission of any required documentation.  The chief administrator is to indicate the diagnosis by notating the information on the person’s driver’s license or non-driver identification card under the column designated for restrictions.

      The bill also requires the Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with the Superintendent of the State Police and at least one organization that advocates on behalf of persons diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or communication disorder, to provide written guidance to assist law enforcement officers in effectively communicating with a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or communication disorder.  The commissioner is required to distribute a copy of the written guidance to each police department in the State.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amendments to the bill:

· Remove the provision that the MVC is to design a special driver’s license and non-driver identification card and replace it with a requirement that the MVC allow a person to have a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder or communication disorder notated on the person’s driver’s license or identification card;

· Expand the provisions of the bill to apply to communication disorders in addition to autism spectrum disorder;

· Provide that the notation is to be placed under the column on a driver’s license or identification card designated for restrictions;

· Require the Commissioner of Human Services, rather than the MVC, to develop and provide the written guidance to assist law enforcement officers in effectively communicating with a person with an autism spectrum disorder or communication disorder; and

· Modify the bill’s synopsis to reflect these changes.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      Fiscal information for this bill is currently unavailable.