Disability identifier symbols on identification cards

(a)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a grant program to award, on a competitive basis, grants to covered entities to carry out programs that allow an individual with an eligible disability to have a disability identifier symbol placed on an identification card of such individual.(b)

Applications

To be eligible for a grant under this section, a covered entity shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate.(c)

Grant uses

(1)

In general

A covered entity may use grant funds awarded under this section only for expenses, as determined necessary by the Secretary, to carry out a program that—(A)is established not later than 1 year after the date on which such funds are awarded;(B)upon the request of an individual and the presentation of a signed affirmation by a qualified professional that such individual has an eligible disability, places, at no cost to such individual, a disability identifier symbol on an identification card issued to such individual;(C)upon the request of an individual, removes, at no cost to such individual, such symbol from an identification card of such individual; and(D)provides first responders with—(i)notification that—(I)the presence of such symbol on an identification card indicates that the cardholder has a disability; and(II)the absence of such symbol from an identification card does not indicate that the cardholder does not have a disability;(ii)training to assist first responders—(I)to recognize individuals with disabilities; and(II)to interact appropriately with such individuals; and(iii)information on—(I)resources available to individuals with disabilities;(II)resources available to those interacting with such individuals; and(III)the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).(2)

Disability identifier symbol

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Invisible Disabilities Association, shall designate for use by a covered entity awarded a grant under this section a disability identifier symbol that is discreet in appearance and has proportions similar to those of symbols placed on identification cards to indicate organ donor status.(d)

Grant limitations

(1)

Amount

The Secretary may not award a grant under this section in an amount that exceeds $200,000.(2)

Federal share

(A)

Federal share

The Federal share of the costs of a program carried out with a grant awarded under this section may not exceed 75 percent.(B)

Exception

Subparagraph (A) does not apply to a grant awarded to a Tribal government.(e)

Reports

(1)

Preliminary report

Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary awards the first grant under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the programs carried out by covered entities with grants awarded under this section, including information on the following for each such program:(A)The number of applications submitted for identification cards with a disability identifier symbol.(B)The number of identification cards issued with a disability identifier symbol.(C)The costs of the program.(2)

Final report

Not later than 3 years after the date on which the Secretary awards the first grant under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and make available on the website of the Department of Transportation a report on the programs carried out by covered entities with grants awarded under this section, including information on the following for each such program:(A)The number of applications submitted for identification cards with a disability identifier symbol.(B)The number of identification cards issued with a disability identifier symbol.(C)The costs of the program.(D)The best practices of each such covered entity and the impact of such program.(f)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Covered entity

The term covered entity means a State or Tribal government.(2)

Eligible disability

The term eligible disability has the meaning given the term disability in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102). (3)

First responder

The term first responder means an individual with job duties related to emergency response, including emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and law enforcement officers.(4)

Identification card

The term identification card means a personal identification card, as such term is defined in section 1028(d) of title 18, United States Code, or a motor vehicle operator’s license, as such term is defined in section 30301 of title 49, United States Code.(5)

Qualified professional

The term qualified professional means—(A)a physician;(B)a physician assistant;(C)a mental health professional;(D)an advanced practice nurse; (E)an individual with a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling; and(F)any other professional determined appropriate by the Secretary of Transportation.(6)

State

The term State means each State, the District of Columbia, and each commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.(7)

Tribal government

The term Tribal government means the government of any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, component band, or component reservation, individually identified (including parenthetically) in the list published most recently as of March 11, 2021, pursuant to section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131).