SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE, Nos. 849 and 741

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

ADOPTED JANUARY 6, 2022

Sponsored by:

Senator  NELLIE POU

District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)

Senator  KRISTIN M. CORRADO

District 40 (Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic)

Senator  ANTHONY M. BUCCO

District 25 (Morris and Somerset)

Senator  DECLAN J. O'SCANLON, JR.

District 13 (Monmouth)

Co-Sponsored by:

Senators Addiego and T.Kean

SYNOPSIS

     Requires MVC to provide notation on driver’s license or identification card, upon request, of persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or other communication disorder.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Substitute as adopted by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

An Act concerning protections for drivers with certain medical conditions and supplementing Title 39 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

     1.    a.  The Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission shall 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.

     b.    Upon request by any person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or communication disorder and submission of any documentation required pursuant to subsection c. of this section, the chief administrator shall indicate the autism spectrum disorder or communication disorder diagnosis by notating such information on the person’s driver’s license or non-driver identification card under the column designated for restrictions.

     c.     The chief administrator shall, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services, establish the documentation required to be produced by a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or communication disorder, or by the parent, guardian, or caregiver of the person, in order to receive a driver’s license or non-driver identification card with the notation authorized pursuant to subsection b. of this section.

     d.    The Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with the Superintendent of the Division of State Police within the Department of Law and Public Safety and at least one organization that advocates on behalf of persons who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or communication disorder, shall provide written guidance to assist law enforcement officers in effectively communicating with a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or communication disorder.  The commissioner shall distribute a copy of the written guidance to each police department in the State.

     2.  This act shall take effect on the first day of the thirteenth month following enactment.