FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 22, 2017) – A bill to help police and Kentuckians who are deaf
or hard of hearing communicate more effectively is now law, announced Secretary of
State Alison Lundergan Grimes. Her office received Senate Bill 189 with the
signature of the governor late Tuesday.
“This new law will build trust and cooperation between more than 700,000 Kentuckians
and our law enforcement,” said Grimes. “I am grateful to have played a part in
championing this legislation and to work with its many advocates in this session.”
Senate Bill 189 will allow deaf and hard of hearing persons to indicate voluntarily
their status in the Kentucky vehicle registration system, allowing law enforcement
officers to see the status during traffic stops.
Grimes worked with the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Kentucky
State Police, Protection and Advocacy, and other advocates to lobby for the bill
before the General Assembly.
Robert D’Angelo, a deaf Kentuckian, spent many hours working in support of the
measure. He and Grimes are working together on other policies to benefit deaf and
hard of hearing Kentuckians.
“Senate Bill 189 will change the landscape for many deaf and hard of hearing
motorists in the Commonwealth,” said D’Angelo. “It will foster a better
understanding of communication needs while protecting and facilitating a strong
relationship with police enforcement officers. I was pleased to see our legislature
reach a bi-partisan unanimous vote for Senate Bill 189’s passage. This would not be
possible without Secretary Grimes and her staff, director of the Commission on Deaf
and Hard of Hearing Virginia Moore, and Sens. Buford, Girdler, Turner, Neal, Smith.”
Grimes will host a receiving ceremony for the legislation at her office in Frankfort
on March 29 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
