Maine Revised Statutes
Article 4: REGISTRATION PROVISIONS
29-A §515-B. Purple Heart medal recipients; special motorcycle registration plates

§515-B. Purple Heart medal recipients; special motorcycle registration plates
The Secretary of State, on application and upon evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482, shall issue a registration certificate and a Purple Heart motorcycle registration plate, to be used in lieu of a regular registration plate, to a person who is a Purple Heart medal recipient. Notwithstanding section 468, the Secretary of State may issue fewer than 2,000 of the plates authorized by this section, and this plate does not require a sponsor.   [PL 2003, c. 67, §1 (AMD).]
1.  Application.  An application for Purple Heart motorcycle registration plates must be accompanied by proof that the applicant has been awarded the Purple Heart medal. The Secretary of State shall verify the documentation presented by the applicant. Misrepresentation of documents is in violation of section 2103, subsection 5.  
[PL 1999, c. 734, §1 (NEW).]
2.  Surviving spouse.  The surviving spouse of a Purple Heart recipient issued motorcycle registration plates in accordance with this subsection may retain and display the Purple Heart plates as long as the surviving spouse remains unmarried. Upon remarriage, the surviving spouse may not use the Purple Heart plates on a motorcycle, but may retain them as a keepsake. Upon the death of the surviving spouse, the family may retain the Purple Heart plates, but may not use them on a motorcycle.  
[PL 1999, c. 734, §1 (NEW).]
3.  Design.  The Secretary of State shall determine the design of the Purple Heart motorcycle registration plate. Upon request and as provided by section 453, the Secretary of State shall issue Purple Heart motorcycle registration plates that are also vanity plates. Purple Heart vanity plates are issued in accordance with this section and section 453.  
[PL 2013, c. 496, §9 (AMD).]
4.  Recognition plates.  A Purple Heart recipient or the surviving spouse of a Purple Heart recipient who does not operate a motorcycle or register a motorcycle and who otherwise qualifies for the issuance of special Purple Heart motorcycle registration plates may apply to the Secretary of State for a special single plate recognizing that award. The Secretary of State shall design and identify these special single plates for recognition purposes only. Special single plates may not be attached to a motorcycle. Only one plate may be issued to each recipient.  
[PL 2011, c. 356, §11 (AMD).]
The Secretary of State shall begin issuing Purple Heart motorcycle registration plates in accordance with this section no later than November 1, 2000.   [PL 1999, c. 734, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1999, c. 734, §1 (NEW). PL 2001, c. 155, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 361, §10 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 67, §1 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 356, §11 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 496, §9 (AMD).

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