HB 495

Under existing law, the Department of Public Health is authorized to issue a certification card to any person who has been medically diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder so that the card may be presented to law enforcement

This bill would authorize any person who has been issued a certification card to receive a distinctive Person with Autism motor vehicle tag

Relating to distinctive license plates; to provide for the issuance of a distinctive license plate for any person with autism.

Section 1

This act shall be known and may be cited as Nick's Bill.

Section 2

(a) Notwithstanding Sections 32-6-64, 32-6-67, and 32-6-68, Code of Alabama 1975, upon application to the judge of probate or license commissioner, compliance with motor vehicle registration and licensing laws, payment of regular fees required by law for license plates for private passenger or pleasure motor vehicles, and payment of an additional annual fee of ten dollars ($10), owners of a motor vehicle who are residents of Alabama and who possess a valid Autism Spectrum Disorder certification card or are the parent or guardian of a person who possesses a valid Autism Spectrum Disorder certification card, as provided in Section 22-1-15, Code of Alabama 1975, shall be issued distinctive Person with Autism license plates. (b) These plates shall be valid for five years and may then be replaced with either conventional, personalized, or new Person with Autism tags or plates. (c) Payment of required license fees and taxes for the years during which a new plate is not issued shall be evidenced as provided in Section 32-6-63, Code of Alabama 1975. (d) The Department of Revenue shall design the plates. The design shall be approved by the Legislative Oversight Committee for License Plates prior to production. Section 32-6-54, Code of Alabama 1975, shall not apply to the plates designed pursuant to this section. (e) The plates shall be issued, printed, and processed like other distinctive and personalized plates provided for in Chapter 6, Title 32, Code of Alabama 1975. (f) The Department of Revenue may adopt any rules necessary to administer this section. (g)(1) The distinctive license plates are not transferable between motor vehicle owners. (2) If the owner of a vehicle bearing the distinctive plates sells, trades, exchanges, or otherwise disposes of the motor vehicle, the plates shall be retained by the owner to whom issued and returned to the judge of probate or license commissioner of the county, who shall receive and account for the plates. (3) If the owner of the distinctive license plates acquires by purchase, trade, exchange, or otherwise, a vehicle for which no standard plates have been issued during the current license period, the judge of probate or license commissioner of the county, upon being furnished by the owner proper certification of the acquisition of the vehicle and the payment of the motor vehicle license tax due upon the vehicle, shall authorize the transfer of the distinctive license plates previously purchased by the owner of the vehicle, which plates shall authorize the operation of the vehicle for the remainder of the then current license period. (4) If the owner of the distinctive license plates acquires by purchase, trade, exchange, or otherwise, a vehicle for which standard plates have been issued during the current license year, the judge of probate or license commissioner, upon proper certification of the owner and being furnished by the owner the standard plates previously issued for the vehicle, shall authorize the owner of the newly acquired vehicle to place the distinctive license plates previously purchased on the vehicle and use the plates for the remainder of the then current license period. The notice of transfer of ownership shall be recorded by the judge of probate or the license commissioner. (5) Any person acquiring by purchase, trade, exchange, or otherwise, any vehicle bearing the distinctive plates, upon certification of the fact to the judge of probate or license commissioner of the county and the payment of the fee now required by law, may purchase standard replacement plates for the vehicle which shall authorize the operation of the vehicle by the new owner for the remainder of the license period.

Section 3

This act shall become effective January 1, 2019, following its passage and approval by the Governor or its otherwise becoming law.