Allows individuals to apply to display a symbol on their driver's licenses or state-issued ID cards indicating that the individual has a non-apparent disability to assist law enforcement and emergency personnel in providing appropriate support during interactions.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7937
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 14, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. C. RYAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to allowing
individuals to apply to display a symbol on their driver's licenses or
state-issued ID cards indicating that the individual has a non-appar-
ent disability
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new
2 section 504-a to read as follows:
3 § 504-a. Voluntary disclosure of non-apparent disability. 1. For the
4 purposes of this section:
5 (a) "Non-apparent disability" means a medically documented physical,
6 mental, intellectual, or neurological condition that is not readily
7 visible but may affect a person's ability to communicate, respond to law
8 enforcement commands, or otherwise interact in stressful environments.
9 (b) "Voluntary disability indicator" means a discrete symbol approved
10 by the commissioner to indicate that an individual has a non-apparent
11 disability.
12 2. (a) The commissioner shall establish a process by which a person,
13 or the parent or legal guardian of a minor or dependent adult, may
14 voluntarily request, through an application process, that a disability
15 indicator be placed on the individual's driver's license or non-driver
16 identification card.
17 (b) The application shall include:
18 (i) certification from a licensed physician, psychologist, or other
19 qualified healthcare provider affirming the presence of a non-apparent
20 disability; and
21 (ii) a signed authorization by the applicant, or legal guardian where
22 applicable, to place the indicator on their license or non-driver iden-
23 tification card.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11916-01-5
S. 7937 2
1 3. (a) The disability indicator shall be a small, discreet symbol such
2 as a butterfly, or other symbol designated by the commissioner, that
3 does not disclose the specific nature of the disability.
4 (b) The presence of the disability indicator on a license or identifi-
5 cation card shall not be used for any purpose other than to assist law
6 enforcement and emergency personnel in providing appropriate support
7 during interactions.
8 (c) Information related to the disability shall be subject to privacy
9 protections under state and federal law, and shall not be disclosed
10 except as authorized by the applicant.
11 4. The commissioner, in consultation with the office for people with
12 developmental disabilities and the department of health, shall develop
13 and disseminate educational materials for law enforcement, emergency
14 responders, and the public regarding the purpose and use of the disabil-
15 ity indicator.
16 5. No additional fee shall be charged for the inclusion of the volun-
17 tary disability indicator.
18 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
19 have become a law.
