Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 1002

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Authorizes the Department of Licensing to implement a volunteer Yellow DOT Program in Washington.
Authorizes a fee to be charged sufficient to cover the costs associated with the program.
Specifies a location on the vehicle for the Yellow DOT and provides a list of information that should be provided in a folder in the glove compartment for first responders.
Clarifies participation does not create any new obligations for emergency medical responders or law enforcement personnel.

Background:

The Yellow DOT Program began in 2002 in Connecticut. In 2009 it was introduced in Etowah County of Alabama and later was expanded to additional counties. Presently there are 23 states that have a Yellow DOT Program including Alabama, Tennessee, Illinois, New York, West Virginia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. The Yellow DOT Program places a window decal on the vehicle's rear window on the driver's side in the lower corner. Emergency first responders (emergency medical responders and law enforcement personnel) are alerted to look for this decal. The decal indicates to first responders that there is a folder in the glove compartment of the vehicle that contains the participant's name, photo of the participant (to ensure the information belongs to the driver in case more than one person is in the vehicle), medical conditions, and emergency contacts.

The Yellow DOT Program was originated to assist an individual(s) following a motor vehicle accident or other emergency when the person(s) might not be able to communicate for themselves. The purpose of the information in the folder is to assist emergency first responders in identifying the person(s), communicating with the person's emergency contacts, and ensuring that the person's medications and preexisting medical conditions are considered when treatment is administered related to an emergency.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Licensing will implement a volunteer Yellow DOT Program in the State of Washington. A Yellow DOT window decal and a Yellow DOT folder will be provided to any person who applies to participate in the program. A participant affixes the Yellow DOT window decal on the operator's side of the rear window in the lower corner.

The Yellow DOT folder is stored in the vehicle's glove compartment. A folder with the last update date indicated should contain an information form with: the participant's name; emergency contact information; photo of the participant; emergency contact information and medical conditions and medications; and personal physician's information. The information helps to ensure that the person's medications and medical conditions are considered when treatment is administered for injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident; any other medical emergency; or when any other interaction involving emergency medical responders or law enforcement occurs.

A fee must be charged for the issuance of the Yellow DOT window decal and folder and must be sufficient to cover the costs associated with the program.

Participation in the Yellow DOT Program does not create any new obligations for emergency medical responders or law enforcement personnel to determine if there a folder in the vehicle or to use the information.