SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 665

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 7, 2022

      The Senate Transportation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 665.

      As reported, the bill requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to place a notation on a vehicle’s registration certificate indicating the registrant is deaf.  This notation is to be placed on the certificate 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.  Upon approval, the chief administrator is required to issue the applicant a special registration certificate with the international symbol for deafness or a numerical code designating deafness, whichever the applicant prefers.  No additional fees will be assessed for applicants who seek a special registration certificate.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2022-2023 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.