Bill Text: CT HB07178 | 2017 | General Assembly | Comm Sub
Bill Title: An Act Concerning Windshield Placards For Certain Veterans With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
Spectrum: Committee Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-03-16 - Favorable Change of Reference, Senate to Committee on Transportation [HB07178 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2017-HB07178-Comm_Sub.html
General Assembly |
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January Session, 2017 |
*_____HB07178VA_TRA030617____* |
AN ACT CONCERNING WINDSHIELD PLACARDS FOR CERTAIN VETERANS WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 14-253a of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2017):
(a) For the purposes of this section:
(1) "Special license plate" means a license plate displaying the symbol of access in a size identical to that of the letters or numerals on the plate and in a color that contrasts with the background color of the plate;
(2) "Removable windshield placard" means a two-sided, hanger-style placard which bears on both of its sides: (A) The symbol of access in a height of three inches or more centered on such placard and colored white on a blue background; (B) a unique identification number; (C) a date of expiration; and (D) a statement indicating that the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles issued such placard;
(3) "Temporary removable windshield placard" means a placard that is the same as a removable windshield placard except that the symbol of access appears on a red background;
(4) "Person with disabilities" means a person with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR Section 1235.2, which person may be a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, who has post-traumatic stress disorder; and
(5) "Symbol of access" means the symbol designated by the Commissioner of Administrative Services pursuant to section 29-269b used to indicate access for persons with disabilities.
(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall accept applications and renewal applications for removable windshield placards from (1) any person who is blind, as defined in section 1-1f; (2) any person with disabilities; (3) any parent or guardian of any person who is blind or any person with disabilities, if such person is under eighteen years of age at the time of application; (4) any parent or guardian of any person who is blind or any person with disabilities, if such person is unable to request or complete an application; and (5) any organization which meets criteria established by the commissioner and which certifies to the commissioner's satisfaction that the vehicle for which a placard is requested is primarily used to transport persons who are blind or persons with disabilities. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, on and after October 1, 2011, the commissioner shall not accept applications for special license plates, but shall accept renewal applications for such plates that were issued prior to October 1, 2011. No person shall be issued a placard in accordance with this section unless such person is the holder of a valid motor vehicle operator's license, or identification card issued in accordance with the provisions of section 1-1h. The commissioner is authorized to adopt regulations for the issuance of placards to persons who, by reason of hardship, do not hold or cannot obtain an operator's license or identification card. The commissioner shall maintain a record of each placard issued to any such person. Such applications and renewal applications shall be on a form prescribed by the commissioner. In the case of persons with disabilities, the application and renewal application shall include: (A) Certification by a licensed physician, a physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed in accordance with the provisions of chapter 378, that the applicant is disabled; or (B) certification by a licensed physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed in accordance with the provisions of chapter 378, or a member of the driver training unit for persons with disabilities established pursuant to section 14-11b, that the applicant meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR Section 1235.2. In the case of persons who are blind, the application or renewal application shall include certification of legal blindness made by the Department of Rehabilitation Services, an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. Any person who makes a certification required by this subsection shall sign the application or renewal application under penalty of false statement pursuant to section 53a-157b. The commissioner, in said commissioner's discretion, may accept the discharge papers of a disabled veteran, as defined in section 14-254, in lieu of such certification. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require additional certification at the time of the original application or at any time thereafter. If a person who has been requested to submit additional certification fails to do so within thirty days of the request, or if such additional certification is deemed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to be unfavorable to the applicant, the commissioner may refuse to issue or, if already issued, suspend or revoke such special license plate or placard. The commissioner shall not issue more than one placard per applicant. The fee for the issuance of a temporary removable windshield placard shall be five dollars. Any person whose application has been denied or whose special license plate or placard has been suspended or revoked shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: | ||
Section 1 |
October 1, 2017 |
14-253a(a) and (b) |
VA |
Joint Favorable Subst. C/R |
TRA |