STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX –  House Majority Whip Julie Willoughby today celebrated the signing of HB2330, her legislation that ensures individuals with communication disabilities have the option to voluntarily disclose that need to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), making the information securely available to law enforcement during traffic stops and other encounters.

“This bill gives law enforcement officers the information they need to approach situations with better understanding and preparedness—especially when interacting with someone who is deaf, hard of hearing, autistic, or otherwise experiences communication challenges,” said Representative Willoughby. “It’s a practical, privacy-respecting solution that can prevent confusion, reduce tension, and help keep everyone safe.”

HB2330 allows Arizonans to request that a communication accommodation flag be added to their driver’s license record or their vehicle registration, indicating that either they—or someone who frequently rides in their vehicle—may need a communication accommodation. This information will only be available to law enforcement agencies through secure channels, such as computer-aided dispatch systems.

Representative Willoughby noted that the legislation was driven in part by conversations with members of Arizona’s deaf and hard of hearing community and others with communication disabilities who want the opportunity to proactively identify their needs before a potentially stressful law enforcement encounter.

“This is an opt-in system. No one is required to participate. But for those who choose to, it provides an added layer of clarity and peace of mind,” Representative Willoughby added. “It reflects exactly what the House Republican Majority Plan is about—keeping communities safe, defending individual rights, and making government work for the people, not the other way around.”

HB2330 passed both chambers of the Legislature with strong bipartisan support. The new law builds upon existing medical code provisions on driver licenses by giving individuals more control over how their disability information is retained and used—specifically to improve public safety outcomes.

Julie Willoughby is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 13 in Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes. She also serves as the House Majority Whip. Follow her on X at @JWilloughbyAZ.