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Read. Follow. Verify.Kentucky adds free communication disorder notations to driver's licenses and identification cards
Last action · April 15, 2026: taken from the Orders of the Day recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)Sponsors: Mike Clines and 2 others
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What This Bill Proposed
Kentucky HB 519 allows applicants for instruction permits, operator's licenses, and personal identification cards to add a free notation indicating a , effective July 1, 2027. The legislation prohibits state agencies from charging fees for adding or removing the notation, requiring medical proof, or disclosing the information without a court order, while also mandating law enforcement training on interacting with individuals with communication disorders.
Residents with communication conditions can now display a voluntary indicator on state-issued credentials at no cost, accompanied by strict privacy protections and specialized law enforcement interaction training.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Residents with communication disorders
Individuals can voluntarily add a free notation to identity documents and receive protections regarding medical privacy and law enforcement interactions.
Law enforcement agencies
Officers must undergo specialized training regarding interactions with persons who have a communication disorder.
Driver licensing cabinet
The cabinet must update application processes, credential designs, website information, and public outreach programs without charging related fees.
Key Facts
- Applicants for initial or renewal instruction permits, operator's licenses, or personal identification cards may choose to indicate a communication disorder.
- The cabinet must include a notation of the communication disorder on the face of the instruction permit, operator's license, or personal identification card.
- The cabinet is prohibited from assessing any fee for the placement or removal of a communication disorder notation.
- Applicants are not required to provide proof of their communication disorder to receive the notation.
Show all 8 facts
- The cabinet cannot disclose information related to the communication disorder notation without a court order, except to specific authorized parties.
- Information disclosed under this section cannot be used as a basis to refer a person to the medical review board.
- The cabinet must notify individuals with a communication disorder notation who turn 18 that they may request its removal.
- The Department of Kentucky State Police, in partnership with the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council, must implement law enforcement training on interacting with persons who have a communication disorder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to provide medical documentation to get a communication disorder notation on my license?
Who is allowed to view my communication disorder notation information?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · passed the House · in Senate committee.
Procedural history
13 actions- Apr 15, 2026HouseCommitteetaken from the Orders of the Day recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)
- Mar 31, 2026HouseFloor3rd reading, passed 37-0 with Floor Amendment (1) received in House to Rules (H) posted for passage for concurrence in Senate Floor Amendment (1)
- Mar 27, 2026Houseposted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 31 2026
- Mar 20, 2026Housefloor amendment (1) filed
- Mar 19, 2026HouseFloor2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill
- Mar 18, 2026Housereported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar
Show 7 earlier actions
- Mar 16, 2026SenateCommitteeto Transportation (S)
- Mar 3, 2026SenateIntroducedreceived in Senate to Committee on Committees (S)
- Mar 2, 2026HouseFloor3rd reading, passed 92-0 with Floor Amendment (1-title)
- Feb 25, 2026HouseFloor2nd reading, to Rules posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, February 26 2026
- Feb 24, 2026Housereported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar floor amendment (1-title) filed
- Feb 5, 2026HouseCommitteeto Transportation (H)
- Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroducedintroduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
apps.legislature.ky.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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