An Act To Enhance the Availability of Special Restricted Licenses in Cases of Medical Need
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1862
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: FREDETTE
Amends: 29-A MRSA §1256

Legislative Document 
No. 1862 
H.P. 1357 
House of Representatives, April 17, 2014 
An Act To Enhance the Availability of Special Restricted Licenses in 
Cases of Medical Need 
(AFTER DEADLINE) 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205. 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative FREDETTE of Newport. 
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 authorizes the Secretary of State to issue special restricted 
licenses to persons who are 15 years of age; and 
Whereas, it is imperative to authorize this special restricted license to persons 
affected by exigent medical circumstances as soon as possible; 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 §1256, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and 
affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read: 
A person who has reached 15 years of age and who has successfully completed a 
driver education course may be issued a special restricted license based on educational or, 
employment or medical need as follows. 
Sec. 2.  29-A MRSA §1256, sub-§2-A is enacted to read: 
2-A.  Medical need.  The Secretary of State may grant a person who has reached 15 
years of age a special restricted license under circumstances of medical necessity that are 
experienced by the person or a member of the person's immediate family if the Secretary 
of State determines the circumstances to be exigent and not inconsistent with the interest 
of highway safety. 
A.  An application must include: 
(1)  A signed, notarized statement from the applicant and the applicant's parent or 
guardian that: 
(a)  No readily available alternative means of transportation exists; and 
(b)  Use of a motor vehicle is necessary for transportation in connection with 
circumstances of medical necessity that are experienced by the person or a 
member of the person's immediate family. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
Current law authorizes the Secretary of State to issue a special restricted license to a 
person who is 15 years of age based on educational need or employment need. This bill 
authorizes the Secretary of State to grant such a license under circumstances of medical 
necessity that are experienced by the person or a member of the person's immediate 
family if the Secretary of State determines the circumstances to be exigent and not 
inconsistent with the interest of highway safety.  This bill also requires that an application 
for a special restricted license based on medical need be accompanied by a notarized 
statement from the parent or guardian attesting that no readily available alternative means 
of transportation exists and that use of a motor vehicle is necessary under the 
circumstances.