Garden State Times

Senator Parker Space's bill to add a designation on motor vehicle registration information indicating the registrant is deaf has passed the Senate Transportation Committee.

“Ensuring those with disabilities can communicate effectively with law enforcement so everyone involved stays safe is of the utmost importance,” said Sen. Space. “By making this designation, it takes the concern out of the equation by notifying police officers that someone is deaf, and that they should act accordingly.”

Bill S1000 requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to add a designation on a motor vehicle’s registration information indicating the registrant is deaf. The notation would only appear when a law enforcement officer accesses the motor vehicle's license plate information through the commission’s online interface with law enforcement agencies and may only be used to alert the law enforcement officer that the person is deaf or hard of hearing.

Additionally, the designation would be added to the applicant’s motor vehicle registration information provided the applicant has a hearing loss of 41 decibels or greater. As part of the application process, an otorhinolaryngologist (ENT) or an audiologist clinically certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is required to verify the applicant’s hearing ability.

To speak with Sen. Space, contact Kyle Fischer, SRO director of communications, at [email protected].