An Act Relating to Disability License Plates and Placards for People with Permanent Disabilities
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0143
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: GILBERT, COURTNEY, COLLINS, BRYANT, CEBRA, CRAFTS, MAZUREK, PETERSON, DIAMOND, PATRICK
Amends: 29-A MRSA §521

Legislative Document 
No. 143 
H.P. 126 
House of Representatives, January 25, 2011 
An Act Relating to Disability License Plates and Placards for People 
with Permanent Disabilities 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative GILBERT of Jay. 
Cosponsored by Senator COURTNEY of York, Senator COLLINS of York and 
Representatives: BRYANT of Windham, CEBRA of Naples, CRAFTS of Lisbon, MAZUREK 
of Rockland, PETERSON of Rumford, Senators: DIAMOND of Cumberland, PATRICK of 
Oxford. 
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 extended disability 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.