HB388 By Representatives Treadaway, Farley, Mooney, Hill (M), Weaver, Harper, Rowe, Faulkner, Garrett, Fridy, Williams (P), Black, McCutcheon, Hill (J), Whorton (I), Moore (B), Ingram, Morrow, Warren, Drummond, Carns, Drake, Shedd and South RFD Public Safety and Homeland Security Rd 1 10-MAR-16

SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, there is no provision for the issuance of a distinctive motor vehicle license plate that would indicate a person in a vehicle has been medically diagnosed with a sensory issue, including, but not limited to, autism, dementia, Down syndrome, Parkinson's disease, post traumatic stress disorder, or stroke.

This bill would provide that a person could submit verification to the Department of Revenue that he or she or a person under his or her care has been medically diagnosed with a sensory issue and qualifies for the issuance of a distinctive motor vehicle license plate indicating that a person in the vehicle has a sensory issue.

This bill would provide for a fee and for distribution of the net proceeds from the sale of the license plates.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

To provide for the Sensory Awareness Tag Act; to provide for a distinctive motor vehicle license plate that indicates that a person in the vehicle has been medically diagnosed with a sensory issue; to provide procedures for obtaining the license plate; to provide for a fee; and to provide for the distribution of the net proceeds from the sale of the license plates.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. (a) This act shall be known and may be cited as the Sensory Awareness Tag Act.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the following term shall have the following meaning:

SENSORY ISSUE. A medically diagnosed condition that affects the senses, including, but not limited to, autism, dementia, Down syndrome, Parkinson's disease, post traumatic stress disorder, and stroke.

(c) Notwithstanding Sections 32-6-64, as last amended by Act 2015-362 of the 2015 Regular Session, 32-6-67, and 32-6-68 of the Code of Alabama 1975, upon application to the judge of probate or license commissioner, accompanied by proof of eligibility as provided for herein, 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 fifty dollars ($50), a person who is a resident of Alabama may be issued a distinctive motor vehicle license plate indicating that a person in the vehicle has been medically diagnosed with a sensory issue.

(d) The Department of Revenue shall establish by rule the proof of eligibility required to be produced by a person who requests a distinctive motor vehicle license plate under this section. The person shall show proof that he or she or a person under his or her care has been medically diagnosed with a sensory issue.

(e) The license plates provided for by this section shall be valid for five years, and may then be replaced with a new license plate.

(f) Payment of required license fees and taxes for the years during which a new license plate is not issued shall be evidenced as provided in Section 32-6-63 of the Code of Alabama 1975.

(g) The distinctive motor vehicle license plates shall be issued, printed, and processed like other distinctive and personalized license plates provided for by Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the Code of Alabama 1975.

(h) KultureCity, a 501(c)(3) entity, shall be responsible for the design of the distinctive motor vehicle license plate, subject to the approval by the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue, and in compliance with all laws and rules.

(i) The annual additional fee for the distinctive motor vehicle license plates shall be distributed in accordance with Section 32-6-68 of the Code of Alabama 1975, except the KultureCity portion of the fee shall be used to provide funding for continued training of sensory initiatives.

(j) The Department of Revenue may promulgate rules to implement this section.

Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Motor Vehicles

License Plates

Revenue Department

Health

Autism

Sensory Issues