Public Comments for: HB2116 - Driver's licenses and identification cards; indication of non-apparent disability.
Last Name: Wallace Organization: Advocates for Women and Family Locality: Fairfax County

I would like to bring to your attention the importance of HB 2116. This bill will display health conditions and/or disabilities on the driver's license, identification card or operators permit. This is an ongoing issue especially in communities whereby the police are contacted to assist with the individual having an emotional trauma due to mental health crisis. As of result, the following individuals were murdered during a mental crisis encounter with a police officer. On July 6,2024, Sonya Massey, 36 year old black woman was shot and killed in her home. On March 3, 2023, Irvo Noel Otieno, 28 year old black man was killed at Central State psychiatric hospital in Dinwiddie County, VA Natasha McKenna, 37 died when she struggle with deputies during mental stress at the Fairfax County Jail on September 28,2018. No one is expected to contact police in middle of a mental health crisis and learn their love one asking for help is found dead by the hands of police. This bill will determine police encounter when citizen reach out to police for help during medical emergency. Please support yes vote for HB 2116! Thank you,

End of Comments