HB370 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John W. Rogers

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to individuals with communication disabilities; to require the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to establish and maintain a database with a list of individuals with communication disabilities for use by law enforcement officers; to require the Alabama Department of Public Health to develop a form for individuals to voluntarily register for the database; and to define terms.

Summary

HB370 would require Alabama to create a voluntary database of individuals with communication disabilities for use by law enforcement, with a health department form to register or remove someone from the database.

What This Bill Does

The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency would establish and maintain a database of people diagnosed with communication disabilities (or disabilities that impair communication) that officers can access. The Alabama Department of Public Health would develop a voluntary verification form for individuals (or their guardians) to register for inclusion or request removal. The form collects information such as disability type, identifying numbers, vehicle info, physician certification, and signatures. Data in the database would not be a public record and would be accessible to state and local law enforcement through the LEA data system.

Who It Affects

• Individuals diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication can voluntarily register and, if needed, be removed from the database by submitting the verification form.
• State and local law enforcement agencies (and the Alabama Department of Public Health) would maintain, access, and use the database to identify and interact with registered individuals during enforcement activities; data is not publicly accessible.

Key Provisions

• Defines key terms: communication disability; disability that can impair communication; guardian; ward.
• DoPH must develop a voluntary verification form with required fields (disability name, relationship, driver license/ID, vehicle license plates, physician certification and contact info, signatures, and removal option).
• Registration is available to individuals 19+ or parents/guardians of minors/wards; removal requests must be honored when properly submitted.
• LEA must establish and maintain the database, including information necessary for officers to identify individuals, accessible through LEA data system; not a public record.
• Verification form and database access are provided electronically on both agency websites; effective date is the first day of the third month after passage, following governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.