ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 2369

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  MARCH 10, 2022

 

      The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 2369.

      As amended and reported, this bill requires the Chief Administrator (chief administrator) of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to 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, upon request of the person, or the person’s parent, guardian, or caregiver, and upon submission of any required documentation. The chief administrator is to indicate the diagnosis by notating the information on the person’s driver’s license or non-driver identification card under the column designated for restrictions.

     The bill also requires the Commissioner of Human Services and the Attorney General, in consultation with the Superintendent of the State Police and at least one organization that advocates on behalf of persons diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or communication disorder, to jointly develop guidance to assist law enforcement officers in effectively communicating with a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or communication disorder. The Attorney General is required to ensure that a copy of the guidance, and any other related materials, is distributed to each police department in the State.

 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments provide that the parent, guardian, or caregiver of a person with an autism spectrum disorder or communication disorder may request that a driver’s license or identification card have the indication permitted by the bill.

      The amendments also add the Attorney General as one of the individuals developing guidance to assist law enforcement under the bill.  The amendments provide that the Commissioner of Human Services and the Attorney General will jointly develop the guidance. The amendments provide that the Attorney General, rather than the Commissioner of Human Services, is to ensure that a copy of the written guidance, and any other related materials, is distributed to each police department in the State.