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An Act Relating to Disability License Plates and Placards for People with Permanent Disabilities
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  this legislation affects many people with permanent disabilities and will save them time, money and effort by streamlining the disability plate and placard renewal system; and
Whereas,  this legislation will also save the taxpayers money in this difficult time by reducing the paperwork burden on the State; and
Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §521, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2009, c. 143, §1, is further amended to read:
 
5. Application; issuance.   An application for a disability plate or placard must be accompanied by the certificate of a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or registered nurse attesting to that person's physical disability as defined in subsection 1. The Secretary of State shall issue to an eligible applicant disability plates and windshield placards upon request. Proof of a disability must be submitted every 4 years on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State except when the physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or registered nurse certifies the disability as permanent or except when an eligible applicant requests that the disability plate or placard expire upon the expiration date of that person's driver's license or nondriver identification card issued by this State, whichever is applicable. When the Secretary of State determines the disability to be permanent from the application, the time may be extendeddisability plate or placard expires upon the expiration date of that person’s driver’s license or nondriver identification card issued by this State. The applicant is not required to continue to provide proof of disability upon renewal of the applicant's disability plate or placard. When the applicant's need for the disability plate or placard terminates or the applicant dies, the plate or placard must be immediately returned to the Secretary of State.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
SUMMARY
This bill provides that a person who has a permanent disability and whose physician certifies that the disability is permanent does not need to continue to show proof of that disability for a disability plate or placard.