This section defines “invisible disability” and says qualifying Alabama vehicle owners or primary caretakers must receive a chosen license plate and an “Invisible Disability” decal if they apply, meet registration rules, pay required fees, and provide a physician diagnosis.
(a) For purposes of this section, the term “invisible disability” means a physical or mental condition that may interfere with an individual’s ability to communicate with a first responder, including: (1) A communication impediment; (2) Hearing loss; (3) Blindness or a visual impairment; (4) Autism spectrum disorder; (5) Traumatic brain injury; (6) Schizophrenia; (7) Alzheimer’s disease or dementia; (8) Post traumatic stress disorder; (9) Epilepsy; (10) A developmental disability; (11) Down syndrome; (12) Diabetes; (13) A heart condition; or (14) A cognitive disability. (b) An owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of Alabama and who has been diagnosed with an invisible disability or an individual who is the primary caretaker of an individual who has been diagnosed with an invisible disability shall be issued a license plate of the individual’s choosing and an “Invisible Disability” license plate decal upon: (1) Application to the judge of probate, license commissioner, or other issuing official; (2) Compliance with motor vehicle registration and licensing laws; (3) Payment of regular fees required by law for license plates for private passenger or pleasure motor vehicles. (4) Payment of any additional fees required by law for distinctive license plates, should the individual seek to be issued a distinctive license plate; and (5) Presentation of a diagnosis from a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state as proof of eligibility. (c) The validity of the “Invisible Disability” license plate decal shall coincide with the reissuance of the registrant’s license plate as provided in Section 32-6-62. (d) Payment of required license fees and taxes for the years during which a new license plate is not issued shall be evidenced as provided in Section 32-6-63. (e) Kulturecity, Incorporated shall be responsible for the design of the license plate decal subject to approval by the Commissioner of Revenue and compliance with all laws and rules. (f) The “Invisible Disability” decal provided by this section shall not qualify the individual to be parked in special access parking as provided in Sections 40-12-300 and 32-6-231 unless the individual has been issued a disability distinctive special access plate or placard as provided for in those sections. (g) The Department of Revenue may adopt rules to implement this section.