Louisiana HB 679: MTR VEHICLE/DRIVER LIC: Provides for a special identification card designation for citizens with traumatic brain injury

Bill Text

HLS 26RS-541 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 679
BY REPRESENTATIVE VENTRELLA
MTR VEHICLE/DRIVER LIC: Provides for a special identification card designation for
citizens with traumatic brain injury
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 40:1321(T) and (U) and to enact R.S. 40:1321(V), relative to
3 special identification card designations; to provide for the establishment of a
4 traumatic brain injury special identification card designation; to provide for the
5 criteria for obtaining the designation for new applicants and renewals; to provide for
6 penalties for persons making false statements to obtain a traumatic brain injury
7 special designation; to require the implementation of a law enforcement officer
8 training course; to provide for rulemaking; and to provide for related matters.
9 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
10 Section 1. R.S. 40:1321(T) and (U) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.
11 40:1321(V) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
12 §1321. State identification cards; special identification cards; issuance; veteran
13 designation; special needs or accommodation designations; traumatic brain
14 injury designation; fees; expiration and renewal; exceptions; promulgation
15 of rules; promotion of use; persons less than twenty-one years of age; the
16 Protect and Save our Children Program; Selective Service Registration
17 * * *
18 T.(1) Upon request of an applicant for a special identification card, a
19 designation that the applicant has traumatic brain injury shall be exhibited on the
20 special identification card upon presentation of a statement from a qualified medical
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.

HLS 26RS-541 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 679
1 or mental health professional licensed in Louisiana or any other state or territory of
2 the United States verifying the applicant's disability as established by administrative
3 rule. The qualified medical or mental health professional shall be authorized to
4 diagnose traumatic brain injury. No additional fee shall be charged to include such
5 designation.
6 (2) Upon the renewal of a special identification card, an applicant who has
7 traumatic brain injury shall provide a statement from a qualified medical or mental
8 health professional licensed in Louisiana or any other state or territory of the United
9 States verifying the applicant's disability as established by administrative rule.
10 (3) Any person who has not been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury who
11 willfully and falsely represents himself as having the qualifications to obtain the
12 special designation authorized by this Subsection shall be fined not less than one
13 hundred dollars nor more than two hundred fifty dollars, or shall be imprisoned for
14 not more than thirty days, or both. Any subsequent offense shall result in a fine of
15 not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, or
16 imprisonment for not more than ninety days, or both.
17 (4) In addition to the training requirements contained in R.S. 40:2404.2(C),
18 the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, shall
19 establish and implement a law enforcement training course relative to law
20 enforcement officers' interaction with persons with traumatic brain injury. The
21 course shall instruct law enforcement officers on sensitivity and awareness to ensure
22 equitable treatment and how to effectively communicate and interact with persons
23 with traumatic brain injury. At a minimum, the course shall include the following:
24 (a) Identification of indicators that a person has traumatic brain injury.
25 (b) Identification of procedures that an officer should employ when
26 encountering a person with traumatic brain injury.
27 (c) Demonstrations of communication and interactive techniques required
28 to effectively interact with a person with traumatic brain injury.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.

HLS 26RS-541 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 679
1 (d) Explanations that provide law enforcement officers with an
2 understanding of the traumatic brain injury and examples of unexpected actions that
3 could potentially be taken by persons diagnosed with traumatic brain injury.
4 (e) Explanations of the resources available to assist an officer encountering
5 a person with traumatic brain injury.
6 (f) Descriptions of the procedures an officer should use to ensure compliance
7 with the Americans with Disabilities Act when encountering a person with traumatic
8 brain injury.
9 (5) The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections,
10 public safety services, shall promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to
11 implement the provisions of this Subsection, including a waiver of liability for the
12 release of any medical information. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S.
13 49: