The bill amends section 4503.571 of the Revised Code to allow the surviving spouse of a Purple Heart recipient to retain or obtain the "Purple Heart" specialty license plate, provided that the spouse has not remarried. The new provisions specify that the spouse may apply to the registrar for either the retention of the license plates previously issued to the deceased recipient or for new registration under the same section. The application must include documentary evidence of the deceased person's Purple Heart award and any additional evidence required by the registrar.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the license plates and validation stickers for Purple Heart recipients will be issued without the payment of registration fees, except for the spouse of a deceased recipient, who may be required to pay the regular registration taxes and fees. The bill also includes a provision that prohibits individuals who are not recipients of the Purple Heart or their eligible spouses from falsely representing themselves as such to obtain the license plates. Overall, the amendments aim to honor the legacy of Purple Heart recipients by extending certain benefits to their surviving spouses.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4503.571