HI HB1993

Allows deaf motor vehicle owners in Hawaii to voluntarily add a deafness designation to their vehicle registration, which will appear when law enforcement officers conduct electronic registration checks during traffic stops

Requires certification of deafness by a licensed otolaryngologist or audiologist, with "deaf" defined as hearing loss of 41 decibels or greater (pure tone average)

Restricts access to the deafness designation information to law enforcement officers only, with county directors of finance responsible for maintaining confidentiality

Aims to prevent miscommunication and improve safety during traffic stops by alerting officers that a driver may not respond to verbal commands

Takes effect July 1, 3000 (placeholder date)