HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2217
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that people with certain disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairments, and other neurological or developmental conditions, may appear to be high functioning but may not react appropriately in interactions with law enforcement. A routine traffic stop or emergency could escalate if the law enforcement officer or first responder is not aware of a hidden disability. These circumstances may lead to misunderstandings or escalation that could otherwise be avoided if the presence of a disability were known.

The legislature further finds that other states have taken steps to allow a special notation on an identification card to voluntarily indicate the existence of a disability to promote safer and more informed interactions. The legislature believes that allowing individuals to voluntarily indicate the presence of a disability on a form of identification can help promote awareness, understanding, and appropriate responses during interactions with law enforcement and first responders.

The purpose of this Act is to promote safer and compassionate communication by:

(1) Allowing an applicant with a disability to request a special notation on a driver's license, permit, or identification card; and

(2) Require the department of transportation to establish public outreach efforts and coordinate with state and county law enforcement agencies regarding the disability notation.

SECTION 2. Chapter 286, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VI to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§286-    Disability; identification. (a) Beginning January 1, 2027, an applicant for an instruction permit, provisional license, driver's license, limited purpose driver's license, limited purpose provisional driver's license, or limited purpose instruction permit, including any renewals, may request a notation on the applicable permit, provisional license, or driver's license that the individual has a disability, at no additional cost.

(b) No applicant shall be required to submit proof of the applicant's disability.

(c) The examiner of drivers shall not deny an application for a permit or license because the disability selected by the applicant does not match that indicated on any other document.

(d) The department of transportation shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary for the purposes of this section."

SECTION 3. Chapter 286, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part XVI to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§286-    Disability; identification. (a) Beginning January 1, 2027, an applicant for a civil identification card, including any renewals, may request a notation on the civil identification card that the individual has a disability, at no additional cost.

(b) No applicant shall be required to submit proof of the applicant's disability.

(c) The examiner of drivers shall not deny an application for a civil identification card because the disability selected by the applicant does not match that indicated on any other document.

(d) The department of transportation shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary for the purposes of this section."

SECTION 4. The department of transportation shall:

(1) Establish public outreach efforts to educate the general public on the availability of the disability notation; and

(2) Coordinate with the department of law enforcement and each county police department to ensure that annual training for law enforcement officers includes procedures for recognizing and appropriately responding to individuals with disability notations on their permit, driver's license, or civil identification card.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DOT; Driver's License; Permit; Civil Identification Card; Disability Notation

Description:

Allows applicants for driver's permit, driver's license, or civil identification cards to request a disability notation on their permit, license, or identification card. Requires the Department of Transportation to establish public outreach efforts and coordinate with state and county law enforcement agencies regarding the disability notation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.