COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Two lawmakers have proposed a voluntary registry for Ohioans with autism and communication impairments as an informational tool to help police who might encounter them.
House Bill 115 was inspired by recent cases in Ohio where drivers with autism were mistakenly arrested for driving under the influence after failing field sobriety tests, Cleveland.com has reported.
“We’re trying to close the communication gap between people who voluntarily go through this initiative with a communication disability and law enforcement officers,” said Rep. Scott Wiggam, a Wooster Republican co-sponsoring the bill.
Individuals wishing to participate in the registry would fill out a form either online or at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles deputy registrar’s office. A physician would need to sign off on the information, which would then be indicated on the driver’s record or associated license plate in the state Law Enforcement Automated Data System.
A resident’s disability would not be physically disclosed on their driver’s license or license plate.
According to Wiggam, the registry would cost little to set up because the BMV already administers similar databases.
“Training is the most important thing and just having a database, assuming it’s a good idea, is not necessarily going to prevent miscommunication or tragedies,” said Kevin Truitt, an attorney for Disability Rights Ohio.
Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn believes the registry would be helpful to police.
“Knowledge is power, and if we make a stop and someone has a disability, it makes it easier for us if we know that as soon as possible,” Wasylyshyn said.
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Information from: cleveland.com, https://www.cleveland.com
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