Relating to driver’s licenses and nonoperator’s identification cards marked to reflect a holder’s nonapparent disability status, and including applicability provisions

Under current law, a person who has autism spectrum disorder may be issued a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card (ID card) that is marked to reflect the person’s autism spectrum disorder status on the face of the license or ID card. This bill instead authorizes a person with a nonapparent disability, as described in the bill, to be issued a driver’s license or ID card marked to reflect the person’s nonapparent disability status. A person must request the person’s license or ID card be marked when the person applies for issuance or renewal of a license or ID card. A person may choose to have the license or ID card marked with a butterfly design approved by the department of transportation (DOT) or in a manner the DOT determines is sufficient to signify the person has a nonapparent disability. In accordance with current law, the DOT may establish criteria under which a license or ID card may be marked, including requiring an applicant to submit medical proof of the applicant’s nonapparent disability status.190(1)(b)(5). The bill applies on and after March 1, 2027, or the date the DOT submits to the Iowa administrative code editor for publication in the Iowa administrative bulletin a statement by the director of transportation that the applicable phase of the DOT’s new records system is implemented, whichever is earlier. The DOT is also required to forward a copy of the statement to the Iowa Code editor.