HB 2217

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
2217
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
H.D. 2
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 in expected ways during interactions with law
enforcement or first responders.� A
routine traffic stop or emergency could escalate if the law enforcement officer
or first responder is not aware of a non-apparent 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 adopted measures allowing a voluntary notation on
identification cards to indicate the presence of a disability, for purposes of
promoting 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)� Requiring 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.
���� (e)� 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, provisional license, or driver's license."
���� 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.
���� (e)� 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 civil identification card."
���� SECTION 4.� New statutory material is underscored.
���� SECTION 5.� 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.� (HD2)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.