H.B. 581
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Apr 15, 2021
SESSION 2021 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH30279-NE-83
Short Title: Drivers License Designation/Autism. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative Penny.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO DEVELOP A
3 DESIGNATION FOR DRIVERS LICENSES THAT MAY BE GRANTED UPON
4 REQUEST TO A PERSON WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER.
5 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
6 SECTION 1. G.S. 20-7 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
7 "(q3) Autism Spectrum Disorder Designation. – The Division shall develop, in consultation
8 with the Department of Public Safety, the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities,
9 and Substance Abuse Services, and the State Highway Patrol, and pursuant to this subsection, a
10 drivers license designation that may, upon request, be granted to a person with autism spectrum
11 disorder, as defined in G.S. 58-3-192(a)(2). The Division shall comply with the following
12 requirements applicable to the designation:
13 (1) At the request of a person with autism spectrum disorder, the Division shall
14 place a unique symbol on the front of the person's license. The unique symbol
15 placed on the license shall not include any further descriptor. The Division
16 shall record the designation in the electronic record associated with the
17 person's drivers license.
18 (2) At the request of a person with autism spectrum disorder, the Division shall
19 enter the drivers license symbol and a descriptor into the electronic record of
20 any motor vehicle registered in the same name of the person with autism
21 spectrum disorder.
22 (3) For the purposes of this subsection, a person shall be considered to have
23 autism spectrum disorder if the person provides verification or documentation
24 substantiating a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder that is recommended
25 by the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance
26 Abuse Services as acceptable. The Division of Motor Vehicles shall consult
27 with the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and
28 Substance Abuse Services to identify acceptable forms of verification that do
29 not result in undue burden to the person requesting the designation of autism
30 spectrum disorder. Acceptable documentation shall include any of the
31 following:
32 a. Documentation of certification or examination by a medical, health, or
33 mental health professional showing evidence of autism spectrum
34 disorder.
35 b. An affidavit executed by the person, their parent, or guardian attesting
36 to the person's autism spectrum disorder.
*DRH30279-NE-83*
 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021
1 c. Documentation deemed by the Division of Motor Vehicles to qualify
2 as satisfactory proof of the person's autism spectrum disorder.
3 (4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as authorizing the issuance of a
4 drivers license to a person ineligible under G.S. 20-9.
5 (5) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting the issuance of a
6 drivers license to a person otherwise eligible under the law.
7 (6) Any individual who chooses to register or not to register shall not be deemed
8 to have waived any protections under the law.
9 (7) Information collected under this subsection shall only be available to law
10 enforcement and only for the purpose of ensuring mutually safe interactions
11 between law enforcement and persons with autism spectrum disorder. It shall
12 not be accessed or used for any other purpose.
13 (8) The right to make the decision for inclusion or removal of the designation
14 from the database is entirely voluntary and shall only be made by the person
15 who holds the drivers license associated with the designation.
16 (9) The Division, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human
17 Services, shall develop a process for removal of the designation authorized by
18 this subsection that is available online, by mail, or in person."
19 SECTION 2. G.S. 17C-6 reads as rewritten:
20 "§ 17C-6. Powers of Commission.
21 (a) In addition to powers conferred upon the Commission elsewhere in this Article, the
22 Commission shall have the following powers, which shall be enforceable through its rules and
23 regulations, certification procedures, or the provisions of G.S. 17C-10:
24 …
25 (17) Establish minimum educational and training standards for employment and
26 continuing education for criminal justice officers concerning:concerning both
27 of the following:
28 a. Recognizing and appropriately interacting with (i) persons who are
29 deaf or hard of hearing.hearing and (ii) persons with autism spectrum
30 disorder.
31 b. Drivers license and vehicle registration identifiers of (i) persons who
32 are deaf or hard of hearing, as authorized by G.S. 20-7(q2), or (ii)
33 persons with autism spectrum disorder, as authorized by
34 G.S. 20-7(q3), including that those identifiers are optional.
35 …."
36 SECTION 3. G.S. 17E-4 reads as rewritten:
37 "§ 17E-4. Powers and duties of the Commission.
38 (a) The Commission shall have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities, which
39 are enforceable through its rules and regulations, certification procedures, or the provisions of
40 G.S. 17E-8 and G.S. 17E-9:
41 …
42 (13) Establish minimum educational and training standards for employment and
43 continuing education for officers concerning:concerning both of the
44 following:
45 a. Recognizing and appropriately interacting with (i) persons who are
46 deaf or hard of hearing.hearing and (ii) persons with autism spectrum
47 disorder.
48 b. Drivers license and vehicle registration identifiers of (i) persons who
49 are deaf or hard of hearing, as authorized by G.S. 20-7(q2), or (ii)
50 persons with autism spectrum disorder, as authorized by
51 G.S. 20-7(q3), including that those identifiers are optional.
Page 2 DRH30279-NE-83
 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021
1 …."
2 SECTION 4. This act is effective when it becomes law and applies to drivers licenses
3 issued on or after January 1, 2022.
DRH30279-NE-83 Page 3


Statutes affected:
Filed: 20-7, 17C-6, 17E-4
Edition 1: 20-7, 17C-6, 17E-4
Edition 2: 20-7, 17C-6, 17E-4