SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE, No. 192

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 5, 2026

      The Senate Transportation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 192.

      As reported, this Senate Committee Substitute requires the Chief Administrator (chief administrator) of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to allow the holder of a driver’s license or non-identification card to voluntarily indicate on the license or identification card that the holder has been diagnosed with an acquired brain injury. 

      In addition, the substitute requires the chief administrator to establish and maintain an automated Statewide registry accessible by law enforcement officers to identify and effectively communicate with a person diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, a communication disorder, or an acquired brain injury.  The registry is to be capable of storing information, including, but not limited to:  (1) the license plate and registration information of any motor vehicle that the person intends to regularly operate; (2) the emergency contact information of a person authorized to communicate on behalf of the person diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, a communication disorder, or an acquired brain injury; and (3) any other information that may assist a law enforcement officer when communicating with the person.  Under the substitute, a person may submit information to be included in the registry through the commission’s Internet website, by mail, or when completing an application for a driver’s license, motor vehicle registration, or non-driver identification card issued by the commission.  The person is permitted to revise the information, update the information, or be removed from the registry at any time. 

      The substitute further provides that the information in the registry is only to be made available to:  (1) certain designated commission employees; and (2) law enforcement officers when accessing the person’s motor vehicle records.  The information may only be used during a motor vehicle stop or other law enforcement action to assist law enforcement officers in identifying and effectively communicating with a person who has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, a communication disorder, or an acquired brain injury.  Information submitted for the registry is not to be subject to public disclosure or discoverable as a government record.

      The substitute also establishes certain liability limitations for the chief administrator and designated commission employees relating to the entry and use of information in the registry, as outlined in the substitute.  However, the substitute provides that the limitations are inapplicable in situations involving a malicious or wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons or property.

      Finally, the substitute requires the training curriculum developed by the Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with the New Jersey Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute and the New Jersey State First Aid Council, and adopted by the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs and the Police Training Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety, to include information on safety considerations and the proper recognition and response techniques to employ when interacting with persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, deafness or hearing loss, blindness or vision loss, communication disorders, and acquired brain injuries.