GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2015

SESSION LAW 2016-25

HOUSE BILL 256

AN ACT TO ALLOW PARTIALLY DISABLED VETERANS TO PARK in a handicapped parking space WHEN DISPLAYING THE PARTIALLY DISABLED VETERAN SPECIAL PLATE and to provide that medical certification and recertification requirements for handicapped parking privileges may be satisfied by a disability determination issued by the united states department of veterans affairs indicating the person is handicapped.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 20‑37.6(e)(1) reads as rewritten:

"(1)      To park or leave standing any vehicle in a space designated with a sign pursuant to subsection (d) of this section for handicapped persons when the vehicle does not display the distinguishing license plate, removable windshield placard, or temporary removable windshield placard as provided in this section, or a disabled veteran registration plate issued under G.S. 20‑79.4;G.S. 20‑79.4, or a partially disabled veteran registration plate issued under G.S. 20‑79.4;"

SECTION 2.  G.S. 20‑37.6(c1) reads as rewritten:

"(c1)    Application and Renewal; Physician's Certification. – The initial application for a distinguishing license plate, removable windshield placard, or temporary removable windshield placard shall be accompanied by a certification of a licensed physician, a licensed ophthalmologist, or optometrist or ofa licensed optometrist, or the Division of Services for the BlindBlind that the applicant is handicapped or by a disability determination by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that the applicant is handicapped. The application for a temporary removable windshield placard shall contain additional certification to include the period of time the certifying authority determines the applicant will have the disability. Distinguishing license plates shall be renewed annually, but subsequent applications shall not require a medical certification that the applicant is handicapped. Removable windshield placards shall be renewed every five years, and the renewal shall require a medical recertification that the person is handicapped. Temporary removable windshield placards shall expire no later than six months after issuance."

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 20^th day of June, 2016.

                                                                    s/  Robert A. Rucho

                                                                         Presiding Officer of the Senate

                                                                    s/  Tim Moore

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/  Pat McCrory

                                                                         Governor

Approved 4:03 p.m. this 22^nd day of June, 2016