DL/DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING DESCRIPTION (New)

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View NCGA Bill Details2017-2018 Session
House Bill 84 (Public) Filed Thursday, February 9, 2017
AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO DEVELOP A DESIGNATION FOR DRIVERS LICENSES THAT MAY BE GRANTED UPON REQUEST TO A PERSON WHO IS DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING.
Intro. by Insko.

Status: Ch. SL 2017-191 (House Action) (Jul 27 2017)

SOG comments (1):

Change Short and Long Titles

House committee substitute to the 1st edition changed short and long titles.  Short title was DRIVERS LICENSE/HEARING IMPAIRED DESIGNATION. Long title was AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO DEVELOP A DESIGNATION FOR DRIVERS LICENSES THAT MAY BE GRANTED UPON REQUEST TO A PERSON WITH A HEARING IMPAIRMENT. 

Bill History:

H 84/S.L. 2017-191

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Jul 28 2017 - View Summary

    AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO DEVELOP A DESIGNATION FOR DRIVERS LICENSES THAT MAY BE GRANTED UPON REQUEST TO A PERSON WHO IS DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING. Enacted July 27, 2017. Effective January 1, 2018.


  • Summary date: Jun 22 2017 - View Summary

    Senate amendment #1 amends the requirements set forth in new GS 20-7(q2) concerning deaf or hard-of-hearing designation by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Deletes the proposed language of subdivision (3), which provided that medical certification or examination was not required to make a request pursuant to the subsection for the designation. Instead, establishes that a person is considered to be deaf or hard of hearing if they provide verification or documentation substantiating their hearing loss that is recommended by the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing as acceptable (Division). Directs the DMV to consult with the Division to identify acceptable forms of verification that do not result in undue burden to the person requesting the designation. Lists documentation that must be acceptable, including: (1) documentation of certification or examination by a medical, health, or audiology professional showing evidence of hearing loss; (2) affidavit executed by the person, their parent, or guardian attesting to the person's hearing loss; or (3) documentation deemed by the DMV to qualify as satisfactory proof of the person's hearing loss. 


  • Summary date: Jun 14 2017 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 3rd edition. 

    Amends proposed subsection (q2) in GS 20-7, directing the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to develop a deaf or hard of hearing designation for driver's licenses, by replacing references to a numerical identifier and instead referring to a symbol that is to be placed on the driver's license at the request of a person who is deaf or hard of hearing. Adds three new requirements to those previously proposed which the DMV must comply with in developing and granting the designation: (1) limits the availability of information collected under new subsection (q2) to law enforcement, and only for the purpose of ensuring mutually safe interactions between law enforcement and persons who are deaf or hard of hearing; (2) specifies that the right to make the decision for inclusion or removal of the designation from the database to be entirely voluntary and can only be made by the person who holds the driver's license associated with the designation; and (3) directs the DMV, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services, to develop a process for removal of the designation that is available online, by mail, and in person. 


  • Summary date: Apr 5 2017 - View Summary

    House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 2nd edition.

    Directs the DMV to also consult with the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in developing a driver's license designation for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Provides that nothing in GS 20-7(q2) prohibits the issuance of a driver's license to a person otherwise eligible, and provides that any person who chooses to register or not register has not waived any protections under the law.

    Amends GS 17C-6(a) and GS 17E-4(a) to authorize the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the NC Sheriff's Education and Training Standards Commission to establish minimum education and training standards for criminal justice officers concerning recognizing and interacting with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, and concerning driver's license and vehicle registration identifiers of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing, including that those identifiers are optional.


  • Summary date: Mar 21 2017 - View Summary

    House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

    Amends proposed GS 20-7(q2) to provide that the new driver's license designation can be granted upon request to a person who is deaf or heard of hearing (previously, specified North Carolina residents with a hearing impairment). Deletes language requiring an applicant requesting a designation under this subsection to provide the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with a letter from the applicant's primary care provider certifying that the applicant has a hearing impairment. Instead, establishes that medical certification or examination is not required to make a request under this subsection. Adds requirements for the DMV to place a unique numerical identifier on the front of the person's license, with no further descriptor, at the request of a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, and requires the DMV to record the designation in the electronic record associated with the person's driver's license. Additionally, requires the DMV to enter the driver's license numerical number and a descriptor into the electronic record of any motor vehicle registered in the same name of the deaf or hard-of-hearing person at that person's request. Makes organizational and clarifying changes.

    Amends GS 17C-6 (concerning the powers of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission) and GS 17E-4 (concerning the powers of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission) to require the commissions to establish minimum educational and training standards for employment and continuing education for criminal justice officers and officers concerning driver's license and vehicle registration identifiers of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing, as authorized by proposed GS 20-7(q2).

    Makes conforming changes to the act's short and long titles.

    Changes the effective date to January 1, 2018 (was, effective when the act becomes law).


  • Summary date: Feb 9 2017 - View Summary

    Amends GS 20-7, concerning the issuance and renewal of driver's licenses, by adding a new subsection to direct the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to develop a designation for driver's licenses that may be granted upon request to state residents with a hearing impairment. Directs the DMV to consult with the Department of Public Safety and the State Highway Patrol in developing the hearing impaired designation for licenses. Requires an applicant requesting such designation to provide a letter from the applicant's primary care provider to the DMV that certifies the applicant has a hearing impairment. Clarifies that this new subsection does not authorize the issuance of a driver's license to a person ineligible under GS 20-9.