AB492: Bill Text

AB492,2,8 343.13 (1) The Subject to sub. (4), the department upon issuing any license pursuant to this chapter may, whenever good cause appears, impose restrictions suitable to the licensee's operating ability with respect to the type of or special mechanical control devices required on a motor vehicle which the licensee may operate, or such other restrictions applicable to the licensee as the department may determine to be appropriate to assure the safe operation of a motor vehicle by the licensee.

AB492,2 Section 2. 343.13 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

AB492,3,4 343.13 (4) The department may not issue a license to a person if the department determines that special mechanical control devices are required for the licensee to safely operate a motor vehicle unless the person provides all of the following to the department:

AB492,3,5 (a) A clinical evaluation certification under s. 347.473 (2) (b) 1.

AB492,3,6 (b) A behind-the-wheel evaluation certification under s. 347.473 (2) (b) 2.

AB492,3,9 (c) A certification from the health care professional providing an evaluation under s. 347.473 (2) (b) 2. that the adaptive equipment was installed as specified in a vehicle modification order under s. 347.473 (2) (c).

AB492,3 Section 3. 347.473 of the statutes is created to read:

AB492,3,12 347.473 Motor vehicle adaptive equipment. (1) Definitions. In this section:

AB492,3,14 (a) "Adaptive equipment" means equipment that allows for the safe operation of a motor vehicle by an individual with a physical disability.

AB492,3,16 (b) "Behind-the-wheel evaluation" means an evaluation of a client that satisfies all of the following:

AB492,3,18 1. The evaluation is performed in a motor vehicle that satisfies the requirements under s. 343.72.

AB492,3,20 2. The evaluation involves the client's use of adaptive equipment to determine the adaptive equipment that is appropriate for the client.

AB492,3,22 3. The evaluation includes training on the adaptive equipment that is determined to be appropriate for the client.

AB492,3,24 (c) "Client" means an individual with a physical disability for whom adaptive equipment is installed in a motor vehicle.

AB492,4,3 (d) "Clinical evaluation" means an evaluation of a client's range of motion, strength, sensation, perception, visual and cognitive skills, kinesthetic awareness, and medical history.

AB492,4,6 (e) "Driver rehabilitation specialist" means an individual with an unexpired driver rehabilitation specialist certification issued by the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists or a successor organization.

AB492,4,8 (f) "Health care professional" means an occupational therapist or physician licensed under chapter 448.

AB492,4,12 (g) "Vehicle modification order" means a document made by a health care professional who has performed a behind-the-wheel evaluation of a client that specifies the adaptive equipment that the health care professional determines is appropriate for the client.

AB492,4,16 (2) Installation of adaptive equipment. No person may install adaptive equipment in a motor vehicle for a client in any manner that alters any original part or equipment in the motor vehicle as sold by the manufacturer unless all of the following are satisfied:

AB492,4,19 (a) The person is accredited to install the adaptive equipment under the Quality Assurance Program of the National Mobility Equipment Dealer's Association.

AB492,4,21 (b) The client certifies to the person that the client has received both of the following:

AB492,4,22 1. A clinical evaluation performed by a health care professional.

AB492,5,2 2. A behind-the-wheel evaluation performed by a health care professional who is a qualified instructor, as defined in s. 343.07 (1c), and who is either a driver rehabilitation specialist or is training to be a driver rehabilitation specialist under the supervision of a driver rehabilitation specialist.

AB492,5,5 (c) The client provides the person with a copy of a vehicle modification order made by the health care professional who performed the behind-the-wheel evaluation described in par. (b) 2.

AB492,5,7 (d) The adaptive equipment that is installed is specified in the vehicle modification order described in par. (c).

AB492,4 Section 4. 347.50 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB492,5,12 347.50 (1) Any person violating ss. 347.35 to 347.49, except s. 347.385 (5), s. 347.413 (1) or s., 347.415 (1m), (2) , and (3) to (5) or s., 347.417 (1) or s., 347.473, 347.475 or s., 347.48 (2m) or (4), or s. 347.489, may be required to forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $200.

AB492,5 Section 5. 347.50 (2j) of the statutes is created to read:

AB492,5,16 347.50 (2j) Any person who installs adaptive equipment in a motor vehicle in violation of sub. 347.473 (2) may be required to forfeit not more than $200 for each violation.

AB492,5,17 (End)