2024 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

Senate Bill 213

By Senator Phillips

[Introduced January 11, 2024; referred
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; and then to the Committee on Finance]

A BILL to amend and reenact §17A-3-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to issuing license plates for medical conditions that might lead to erratic driving; providing requirements to obtain plates; and establishing initial and renewal fees for license plates.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 3. ORIGINAL AND RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION; ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF TITLE.

§17A-3-14. Registration plates generally; description of plates; issuance of special numbers and plates; registration fees; special application fees; exemptions; commissioner to promulgate forms; suspension and nonrenewal. suspension of registration; electronic signatures.

(a) The division, upon registering a vehicle, shall issue to the owner one registration plate with a registration number consisting of a combination of letters, numerals, symbols, or characters in a configuration determined by the commissioner.

(b) Registration plates shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Plates must incorporate reflectorized material.

(2) Registration numbers shall be plainly readable from 100 feet during daylight.

(3) The commissioner may assign any additional feature to facilitate reciprocal agreements, facilitate interstate travel, promote highway safety, or promote the efficient operation of the division.

(c) The commissioner may suspend the registration of any owner who displays a damaged or illegible plate or otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of §17A-3-19 of this code.   

(d) Any license plate issued or renewed pursuant to this chapter which is paid for by a check that is returned for nonsufficient funds is void without further notice to the applicant. The applicant may not reinstate the registration until the returned check is paid by the applicant in cash, money order, or certified check and all applicable fees assessed as a result thereof have been paid.

(e) The division may issue special license plates to persons who have medical conditions, such as diabetes, that do not prohibit the person from operating a motor vehicle, but which conditions may, during the operation of a motor vehicle or at a time when the person is not operating a motor vehicle, cause erratic behavior.

(1) Persons applying for this special registration plate shall submit a certified statement of medical condition from a primary medical provider that indicates the applicant’s medical condition, that the condition does not prohibit the applicant from operating a motor vehicle, but that the condition may cause the applicant to act erratically if not timely taking required prescribed medications or otherwise following required dietary restrictions for the medical condition.

(2) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $25 for each special license plate in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.

(3) The division shall charge an annual fee of $15 for each special registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(4) The provisions of §17A-3-14(d) of this code are not applicable for the issuance of special license plates designated by this subdivision.

(e) (f) In furtherance of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, §39A-1-1 et seq. of this code, the division may accept or authorize an electronic signature in any instance the law required to be enforced by the commissioner requires a signature or a pen and ink signature.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to permit special registration plates for certain persons with medical conditions that may cause erratic behavior.  It also requires medical certification that person may operate motor vehicle if properly follows dietary restrictions and medical prescriptions.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.