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Bill

HB 707

Vehicle Laws - Licenses, Identification Cards, and Moped Operator's Permits - Notation of Nonapparent Disability (Eric's ID Law)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gabriel Acevero and 46 co-sponsors

Maryland permits citizens with nonapparent disabilities to voluntarily note this on driver's licenses and IDs to help police recognize potential communication or behavioral differences during traffic stops.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 440
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Bill Summary · HB 707

Legislative bill overview

HB 707 permits individuals with nonapparent disabilities to request a notation on their Maryland driver's license, identification card, or moped operator's permit to indicate this condition. The bill, nicknamed "Eric's ID Law," allows law enforcement and first responders to quickly identify individuals who may have hidden disabilities affecting communication, comprehension, or behavior during traffic stops or emergencies.

Why is this important

Nonapparent disabilities—including autism, deafness, intellectual disabilities, and mental health conditions—can create dangerous misunderstandings during police interactions if officers are unaware of them. This notation aims to reduce potentially harmful outcomes by providing officers context that might otherwise lead them to misinterpret an individual's behavior as noncompliance or threat, while also enabling appropriate accommodation or communication adjustments.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy concerns: Opponents may worry that visible disability notation on government ID could enable discrimination in hiring, housing, or public interactions beyond law enforcement contexts
  • Practical effectiveness: Questions exist about whether officers will consistently check for the notation or appropriately respond to it during high-stress encounters
  • Scope limitations: The bill addresses only certain disability types; debate may arise over which conditions qualify and whether the criteria are too restrictive or too broad

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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