Bill > S1881

This bill aims to enhance protections for individuals facing hearings at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) concerning their driver's licenses, particularly when the reason for potential suspension or revocation is a suspected mental or physical handicap. Under the proposed changes, the RMV registrar cannot suspend or revoke a license based solely on suspicion of a handicap; instead, a qualified medical doctor or emergency medical technician must submit a written petition with medical evidence demonstrating the operator is unsafe to drive. If a license is suspended or revoked for this reason, the operator is guaranteed a hearing within three business days, though they have the option to postpone it for up to thirty days. Furthermore, any hearing related to a handicap-based suspension or revocation must occur within 14 days of the event that triggered the RMV's action, unless both parties agree to a different timeline. During these hearings, the registrar will consider all submitted evidence, and any medical evidence presented will be made public for the hearing's purpose only, with all identifying medical details redacted from any public record. Disseminating this sensitive medical evidence without the operator's permission after the hearing will result in liability for damages between $1,000 and $5,000 per violation. The bill also specifies that only medical evidence reported or recorded by a qualified, licensed medical professional will be accepted, and the registrar must provide a written decision on license revocation within seven days after the hearing.