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COMMITTEE REPORT
April 29, 2003
S. 356
S. Printed 4/29/03--S. [SEC 4/30/03 1:06 PM]
Read the first time February 12, 2003.
To whom was referred a Bill (S. 356) to amend Chapter 1 of Title 56 of the 1976 Code by adding Section 56-1-205 to provide that the department, upon request, must place a notation on a applicant's driver's license, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 56-1-205, as contained in SECTION 1, page 1, by inserting
/ or audiologist / after 40-47-5, on line 34.
Amend the bill, further, Section 56-3-1930(A), as contained in SECTION 2, page 2, by inserting
/ or audiologist/ after Section 40-47-5, on line 6.
Amend the bill, further, Section 56-3-1930(B), as contained in SECTION 2, page 2, by deleting line 20, and inserting
/ and the name and signature of the /.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
GREG RYBERG for Committee.
TO AMEND CHAPTER 1 OF TITLE 56 OF THE 1976 CODE BY ADDING SECTION 56-1-205 TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT, UPON REQUEST, MUST PLACE A NOTATION ON AN APPLICANT'S DRIVER'S LICENSE THAT THE APPLICANT IS HEARING IMPAIRED AND IF THE APPLICANT SUFFERS HEARING LOSS OF FORTY DECIBELS OR MORE; AND TO AMEND CHAPTER 3 OF TITLE 56 BY ADDING SECTION 56-3-1930 TO PROVIDE FOR IDENTIFICATION PLACARDS FOR HEARING IMPAIRED DRIVERS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1 of Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 56-1-205. An applicant for the issuance or renewal of a driver's license may request that a notation be placed on the license indicating that the applicant is hearing impaired.
The department must place the notation on the driver's license if requested by the applicant and if the applicant provides an original certificate from a licensed physician, as defined in Section 40-47-5, that the applicant has a permanent, uncorrectable hearing loss of forty decibels or more in one or both ears.
This section shall apply to a driver's license issued on or after January 1, 2004."
SECTION 2. Chapter 3 of Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 56-3-1930. (A) An identification placard must be issued to a hearing impaired licensed driver upon application. The application is to be on a form prescribed by the department and may be made in person or by mail. The application must include an original certificate from a licensed physician, as defined in Section 40-47-5, that the applicant has a permanent, uncorrectable hearing loss of forty decibels or more in one or both ears. No licensed applicant may be denied a placard if the completed application includes an original certificate from a licensed physician. The placard shall expire on the licensee's birth date of the fifth calendar year after the calendar year in which a hearing impaired driver is issued a license.
(B) The placard must be rectangular in shape, approximately the same size as an average motor vehicle sun visor, as determined by the department, to enable it to be attached to a sun visor in a motor vehicle. The department shall determine the shape, size preferred, and manner in which a hearing-impaired motorcycle operator is to carry or display the placard. The placard must contain the heading `Hearing Impaired Driver' in boldface type and the name, signature, and driver's license number of the hearing-impaired person along with an explanation of appropriate use in the event the hearing impaired driver is stopped by a law enforcement officer while driving.
(C) A fee not to exceed five dollars may be charged to each applicant issued a placard in accordance with this section. These fees shall be retained by the department to offset the cost of providing these placards."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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