An Act To Enhance the Availability of Special Restricted Licenses in Cases of Medical Need
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this legislation authorizes the Secretary of State to issue special restricted licenses to persons who are 15 years of age; and
Whereas, it is imperative to authorize this special restricted license to persons affected by exigent medical circumstances as soon as possible; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §1256, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
A person who has reached 15 years of age and who has successfully completed a driver education course and passed an examination for operation of a motor vehicle as provided in section 1301 may be issued a special restricted license based on educational or , employment or medical need without the person's having held a permit for a period of 6 months as required by section 1304, subsection 1, paragraph H, subparagraph (1) as follows.
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §1256, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2001, c. 671, §21 and PL 2003, c. 545, §5, is further amended to read:
(1) A signed notarized statement from the applicant and the applicant's parent or guardian that:
(a) No readily available alternative means of transportation exists; and
(b) Use of a motor vehicle is necessary for transportation to and from a public secondary school, a private secondary school approved for attendance purposes by the Commissioner of Education or a career and technical education center or region that the applicant is attending;
(2) A verification of school attendance; and
(3) A statement by the principal of the school of the lack of a readily available alternative means of transportation.
Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §1256, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2001, c. 671, §22, is further amended to read:
(1) A signed, notarized statement from the applicant and the applicant's parent or guardian that:
(a) No readily available alternative means of transportation exists; and
(b) Use of a motor vehicle is necessary for transportation to, from or in connection with employment of the applicant; and
(2) A verification of employment by the employer.
Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §1256, sub-§2-A is enacted to read:
(1) A signed, notarized statement from a physician attesting to the existence of circumstances of medical necessity; and
(2) A signed, notarized statement from the applicant or the applicant's parent or guardian that:
(a) No readily available alternative means of transportation exists; and
(b) Use of a motor vehicle is necessary for transportation in connection with circumstances of medical necessity that are experienced by the person or a member of the person's immediate family.
Sec. 5. 29-A MRSA §1256, sub-§3, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.