A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding article 150 to chapter 3, title 56 so as to PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MAY ISSUE "MILITARY VETERAN POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.   Chapter 3, Title 56 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Article 150

Military Veteran Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Special License Plates

   Section 56-3-15010.   (A) As used in this article, "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" or "PTSD" means an anxiety disorder that develops in reaction to physical injury or severe mental or emotional distress associated with military service.

   (B) License plates issued pursuant to this article are exempt from the regular motor vehicle registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3, Title 56. The department may issue license plates with a special number or identification indicating the license plates were issued to military veterans certified as suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. License plates issued pursuant to this article must be accompanied by a certification form completed by a licensed physician.

   (C) The department must develop a standardized certification form designed to capture criteria related information correlating to military veterans suffering from PTSD. The form shall indicate whether the condition is permanent or temporary, and if temporary, the expected duration.

   (D) Forms must be completed by physicians licensed to practice in this State as contained in Chapter 47, Title 40.

SECTION 2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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