SB 46 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Motor vehicles; driver licenses; designation of certain medical conditions, provided for

SB 46 would allow Alabama drivers to voluntarily add a discreet mark to their license or ID card indicating they have been diagnosed with specific invisible medical conditions, such as autism, epilepsy, or schizophrenia. This applies to individuals who provide physician documentation of their condition. The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) must create this system at no extra cost to users, with the goal of helping first responders understand communication needs during emergencies. The bill defines "invisible medical conditions" as those affecting communication, like cognitive disabilities or traumatic brain injuries. It does not require any license changes or impose new fees beyond existing costs.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 9, 2026 Last action Feb 5, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Public Safety and Homeland Security 1st Substitute · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was revised to update the bill number and title to reflect its status as a substitute measure. The core policy regarding invisible medical conditions was modified by removing specific examples like blindness, hearing loss, and autism, replacing them with epilepsy and cognitive disabilities. A new effective date of October 1, 2026, was established.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding the definition of 'invisible medical conditions' was narrowed and altered by removing several previously listed conditions and adding epilepsy and cognitive disabilities.
DEFINITION

The list of conditions qualifying for the invisible medical designation was changed; blindness, hearing loss, autism spectrum disorder, and communication impediments were removed, while epilepsy and cognitive disability were added.

TECHNICAL

The bill header was updated to change the identifier from 'SB46 INTRODUCED' to 'PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY SUBSTITUTE TO SB46' and the sponsor from Senator Coleman to Representative Coleman.

TIMELINE

A specific effective date of October 1, 2026, was added to the text, replacing the previous placeholder or introductory status.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee Second House
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Pending Committee Action in Second House (Public Safety and Homeland Security)
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 135
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (State Governmental Affairs)
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.