HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32), in partnership with Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-18), to help protect individuals with communication barriers during interactions with law enforcement advanced out of the Senate Transportation Committee.
Senate Bill 802 would allow Pennsylvanians to voluntarily include a designation on their driver’s license, state-issued ID and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) electronic records indicating a potential communication barrier. This designation is designed to assist law enforcement officers in recognizing that an individual may communicate differently due to an “invisible disability,” such as deafness, autism or other conditions.
“Interactions with law enforcement can be stressful under any circumstances, and those stressors are heightened when an individual has a disability that creates a communication barrier,” Stefano said. “This simple, voluntary designation can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure these encounters remain safe and respectful.”
The idea for this legislation originated more than five years ago when a constituent who is hard of hearing experienced a needlessly escalated confrontation with a police officer and asked Stefano for a solution to prevent similar instances in the future. Boscola also shares a similar story of a constituent, prompting the two senators to collaborate on this bipartisan effort.
“This is really about safety, clarity and dignity for those that are driving and the police officers as well,” Boscola said. “I’m glad we could work together to move this project forward.”
Under the legislation, individuals with invisible disabilities could apply for the designation free of charge, with a doctor’s sign-off, through a process similar to obtaining a handicap parking placard. The designation would appear as a symbol on the license or ID card and be noted in PennDOT’s records, alerting officers during traffic stops or other interactions.
“This is about giving people with invisible disabilities an added sense of security and the opportunity to present themselves as they see fit,” Stefano added. “It’s a small change that could make a world of difference.”
At least 32 other states have implemented similar voluntary designations.
Senate Bill 802 now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
CONTACT: Amanda Cuteri (Stefano)
Ian Dimm (Boscola)