SB 802 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in licensing of drivers, providing for communication barrier designation; and imposing penalties.

SB 802 creates a voluntary "communication impairment designation" for Pennsylvania drivers with conditions affecting communication (e.g., autism, aphasia). Drivers submit a medical professional's sworn statement, confirm voluntary disclosure, and provide emergency contact info to add a visible "i" symbol to their license. Law enforcement can access the designation and emergency contacts during traffic stops via secure networks, but specific medical details remain private and are not public records. The designation can be added, updated, or removed without fees (except standard license renewal costs), with penalties for fraudulent applications or misuse to avoid lawful orders.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced May 30, 2025 Last action Mar 18, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN0850 → Printer's No. PN1418 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand the definition of communication impairments to include speech and language disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and deafness, while adding a specific 'BARRIER' designation to the driver's license. The amendment also introduces a new requirement for temporary regulations to be issued within three years and extends the bill's effective date from 60 days to one year.

Scope change

The scope of the bill was expanded to include a broader range of communication conditions, specifically adding speech and language disorders and autism spectrum disorders to the list of qualifying impairments.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'communication impairment' was updated to explicitly include 'a diagnosed speech and language disorder' and 'an autism spectrum disorder'.

REQUIREMENT

A new subsection (K) was added requiring the department to promulgate temporary regulations within three years of publication, exempting them from certain administrative laws.

The term 'BARRIER' was added to the section title and throughout the text to create a specific 'communication impairment BARRIER designation'.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the act was changed from 60 days to one year.

ELIGIBILITY

The criteria for determining a communication impairment now requires consultation with the Department of Health for conditions other than deafness or autism.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 18, 2026

How they voted

50–0

Passed

Total votes 50

Mar 18, 2026

D Democratic23

23 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican27

27 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to Transportation

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third consideration and final passage

upper

Mar 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Re-reported as committed

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Appropriations

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported as amended

upper

May 30, 2025

Committee

Referred to Transportation

upper

1 primary · 26 co-sponsors