Communication Disorder Notation on Driver's Licenses
Summary
Kentucky HB519 creates a new section of KRS 186.400 to 186.640 allowing individuals to request a voluntary communication disorder notation on their driver's licenses, instruction permits, or personal identification cards at no charge. The Department of Kentucky State Police is directed to implement training on interacting with persons who have communication disorders. The bill passed both chambers unanimously and takes effect July 1, 2027.
What changed
Kentucky HB519 establishes that applicants for instruction permits, operator's licenses, or personal identification cards may voluntarily request a notation indicating they have a communication disorder. The bill defines 'communication disorder,' prohibits fees for adding or removing the notation, and directs the Department of Kentucky State Police to develop training on interacting with persons who have communication disorders. This amends KRS 186.531 to conform.\n\nThe effective date is July 1, 2027, giving the Department of Kentucky State Police and license-issuing agencies approximately 15 months to implement system updates and training. No immediate action is required from license applicants or holders; the notation is entirely voluntary. No penalties are specified for non-compliance with this permissive legislation.
What to do next
- Review current license issuance procedures to accommodate optional communication disorder notation
- Develop and implement training for personnel on interacting with persons who have communication disorders
- Update systems to allow removal of the notation upon request without fees
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Kentucky / HB519 Passed HB519 House Bill Passed 2026-03-03
AN ACT relating to identity documents.
Create a new section of KRS 186.400 to 186.640 to define "communication disorder"; establish that at the time of application for an instruction permit, operator's license, or personal identification card a person may choose to have a notation on the document indicating that they have a communication disorder; direct that no fee shall be charged for the inclusion or removal of a notation; provide that a person may request removal of the notation; direct that the Department of Kentucky State Police shall implement training on interacting with persons who have a communication disorder; amend KRS 186.531 to conform; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2027.
Bill Details
State Kentucky
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber House
Committee Rules
Official Source apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb519....
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Mike Clines (Rep - R) Wade Williams (Rep - R) Beverly Chester-Burton (Rep - D)
Action History
2026-03-31 H posted for passage for concurrence in Senate Floor Amendment (1) 2026-03-31 H to Rules (H) 2026-03-31 H received in House 2026-03-31 S 3rd reading, passed 37-0 with Floor Amendment (1) 2026-03-27 S posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 31 2026 2026-03-20 S floor amendment (1) filed 2026-03-19 S 2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill 2026-03-18 S reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar 2026-03-16 S to Transportation (S) 2026-03-03 S to Committee on Committees (S) 2026-03-03 S received in Senate 2026-03-02 H 3rd reading, passed 92-0 with Floor Amendment (1-title) 2026-02-25 H posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, February 26 2026 2026-02-25 H 2nd reading, to Rules 2026-02-24 H floor amendment (1-title) filed 2026-02-24 H reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar 2026-02-05 H to Transportation (H) 2026-01-29 H to Committee on Committees (H) 2026-01-29 H introduced in House
Votes
2026-03-02 House: Veto Override RCS# 176 Yea: 92 Nay: 0 2026-03-31 Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4093 Yea: 37 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-01-29 H Committee On Committees 2026-02-05 H Transportation 2026-02-25 H Rules 2026-03-03 S Committee on Committees 2026-03-16 S Transportation 2026-03-19 S Rules 2026-03-31 H Rules
Amendments
0000-00-00 House Floor Amendment 0000-00-00 Senate Floor Amendment
Bill Text Versions
0000-00-00 Introduced 0000-00-00 Engrossed
Subjects
Disabilities Driver Licensing Effective Dates, Delayed Fees Police, City and County Police, State Transportation Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
Named provisions
Related changes
Source
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get Government & Legislation alerts
Weekly digest. AI-summarized, no noise.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when State Bills: Kentucky publishes new changes.