Assembly Bill 161 would allow drivers to specify whether they communicate differently on their driver’s license and/or registration. The scope is broad and may include people with autism, people with hearing or speech impairments.

“Giving Law Enforcement an additional tool to alert them that someone’s reaction or actions during an encounter may be a matter of how they receive or deliver messages rather than a threat or an act of defiance, this is again a common sense measure that gives people choices and creates a safer environment for all involved,” Miller said.

Mothers of children with autism expressed emotional support and spoke about their concern for the safety of their children. In accordance with Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, about 60% of respondents said they fear police contact with a loved one with autism. Some attributed these fears to the fact that the police might misunderstand their behaviour. The law enforcement agencies also supported the bill. Sergeant Jason Walker spoke on behalf of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and the Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association.

“Full support,” Walker said. “Any information we can get to help us overcome any communication gap is helpful to us.”

However, concerns were raised during the testimony. While the appointment will be voluntary, some feel that people may be treated differently when they show their ID elsewhere, such as at a nightclub. Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Associate Administrator Sean North said making changes to the registration code would be a big lift. Nevada law already empowers the DMV to mark if someone has a medical condition on their ID. Lawyers also requested that the law require law enforcement officers to be trained for the new assignment if passed.

Content Source