An Act Regarding a Seat Belt Exemption for Persons with a Medical Condition
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0575
Committee Amendment CA_A_H56 (House)
Amends: 29-A MRSA §2081

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "4 to H.P. 370, L.D. 575, "An Act Regarding a 
Seat Belt Exemption for Persons with a Medical Condition" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec.1. 29-A MRSA §2081, sub-§4, 1A-1, as amended by PL 2009, c. 436, §1, is 
further amended to read: 
A-1. The requirements of subsection 3-A do not apply to a driver or passenger who 
has a medical condition that, in the opinion of a physician, warrants an exemption from 
the requirements of subsection 3-A and that medical condition and opinion are 
documented by a certificate from that physician. That certificate is valid for the period 
designated by the physician, which may not exceed oae year 6 years. The Secretary of 
State may issue a removable windshield placard that is visible to law enforcement 
officers to a person with a certificate from a physician. A removable windshield placard 
is a 2-sided permit designed to hang from the rearview mirror when the vehicle is in 
motion without obstructing the view of the operator. The placard must be displayed by 
hanging it from the rearview mirror so that it may be viewed from the front and rear of 
the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. If the vehicle is not equipped with a rearview 
mirror, the placard must be displayed on the dashboard. The placard must be 
identifiable as a seat belt placard as designed by the Secretary of State. A placard issued 
to a person under this paragraph expires when the physician's certificate expires. 
Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
SECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF 
Administration - Motor Vehicles 0077 
I 
Initiative: Provides one-time funding to modify information technology systems. 
IDGHWAYFUND 
All Other 
2023-24 
$10,387 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
2024-25 
$0 
o<:o 
~ 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT«/}• to H.P. 370, L.D. 575 
IIlGHW A Y FUND TOTAL 
$10,387 
$0 
Sec. 3. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2024.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section 
number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill. This amendment, beginning January 1, 2024, allows 
a physician to designate the duration of the applicant's medical condition for the purpose 
of allowing an exemption from the seat belt requirements for adult drivers and passengers 
for a period not to exceed 6 years. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03/20/23 fi;PaC! 
LD 575 
LR 751(02) 
An Act Regarding a Seat Belt Exemption for Persons with a Medical Condition 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment {f{fl-5'(,,) 
Committee: Transportation 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor savings - General Fund 
Minor revenue decrease - General Fund 
Minor revenue decrease - Other Special Revenue Funds 
FY 2023-24 
FY 2024-25 
Projections 
FY 2025-26 
Projections 
FY 2026-27 
~et Cost (Savings) 
Highway Fund 
Appropriations/ Allocations 
Highway Fund 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
$10,387 
$10,387 
$0 
$0 
$0 
$0 
$0 
$0 
There may be a minor reduction of workload associated with the minimal number of cases that will no longer be filed 
in the court system. 
A reduction in fine revenue associated with increasing the allowable duration of an exemption from seat belt 
requirements for persons with a medical condition will decrease General Fund and other dedicated revenue by minor 
amounts. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
This bill includes a one-time Highway Fund allocation of $10,387 to the Department of the Secretary of State to 
modify infonnation technology systems. 
LR0751(02} - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1