Bill > H3120

This bill modifies Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 22, concerning the suspension or revocation of motor vehicle operator licenses for medical reasons. Specifically, it states that the registrar, the official responsible for issuing and managing licenses, cannot suspend or revoke a license based solely on suspicion of an operator being physically or mentally incapable of driving, unless a qualified medical professional, such as a physician or emergency medical technician, submits a written petition to the registrar with medical evidence indicating the operator cannot drive safely. If a license is suspended or revoked under these circumstances, the operator is entitled to a hearing within three business days, which they can postpone for up to thirty days. Furthermore, any hearing related to a potential license suspension or revocation due to a purported physical or mental disability must be held within 14 days of the event that triggered the registrar's action, unless all parties agree to a different timeline. During such hearings, the registrar will consider all evidence presented, and any medical evidence submitted will be made public only for the hearing itself, with medical details redacted from any public record of the proceedings; individuals or entities disseminating this medical evidence without the operator's permission will be liable for $1,000 per violation. Medical evidence will only be accepted if provided by a qualified, licensed medical professional, and the registrar must issue a written decision on the license status within seven days of the hearing. Finally, if the registrar determines the operator was capable of driving at the time of the suspension or revocation, any fees for reinstating the license will be waived.