CONCORD – Gov. Chris Sununu recently signed into law House Bill 1182, an “omnibus” bill including House Bill 1128, “An act adding deaf or hard of hearing to the medical conditions that may be indicated on a driver’s license or nondriver’s identification.”

Making the announcement is State Representative Mark Pearson, R-Hampstead, Chairman of Pearson the New Hampshire Commission on Deafness and Hearing Loss.

“In the past, the back of the license would merely indicate ‘restrictions,'” Representative Pearson commented. “Mine says, ‘corrective lenses,’ meaning that if I get pulled over by law enforcement and I am not wearing my glasses, I could be in trouble.

“A few years ago, a new category was added called ‘medical condition.’

“The Deafness and Hard of Hearing Commission thought that by making ‘Deaf or Hard of Hearing’ a listed medical condition, law enforcement would realize the motorist’s way of communication is indicative of a hearing problem, not an authority problem.

New Hampshire residents who are deaf or hard of hearing may request this language be put on their next driver’s license or nondriver’s identification card if they wish. It’s not required, but it will now be offered.

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