Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 2280

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

Directs the Department of Licensing (DOL) to implement a voluntary Yellow Dot Program and provide the Yellow Dot window decal and folder to any person who applies.
Directs the DOL to charge a fee that is sufficient to cover the costs associated with the Yellow Dot Program.

Background:

The Yellow Dot Program began in 2002 in Connecticut. In 2009 it was introduced in Etowah County of Alabama and later was expanded statewide. In addition to Alabama and Connecticut, there are Yellow Dot programs in New York, Massachusetts, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Virginia, and Illinois. The Yellow Dot Program places a 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 the first responders that there is a folder in the glove compartment of the vehicle that contains the participant's name, photo of the participant (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 following a motor vehicle accident when the person might not be able to communicate for themself. The purpose of the information in the folder is to assist emergency first responders in identifying the person, 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 the motor vehicle accident.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) is directed to initiate a voluntary program in which interested individuals may obtain a Yellow Dot window decal from the DOL for placement on their motor vehicle and a Yellow Dot folder for placement in the glove compartment of the motor vehicle. The purpose of the information in the folder is to assist emergency medical responders and law enforcement personnel. The folder should contain a current information form with the participant's name, a photo of the participant, emergency contact information, medical conditions, recent surgeries, allergies, medications used, and participant's physician.

The DOL must charge a fee for the issuance of the Yellow Dot window decal and the Yellow Dot folder. The fee must be sufficient to cover the costs associated with the program.

Participation in the Yellow Dot Program does not create any new or distinct obligation for emergency medical responders or law enforcement personnel to determine if there there is a Yellow Dot folder in the motor vehicle or use the information contained in the Yellow Dot folder.