(a)
(1) A person, or the parent or guardian of a person, who meets the requirements of this section may apply to the Office of Driver Services for a communication impediment designation on the driver's license or identification card of the person by providing:
(A) Documentation from a physician that the person meets the requirements of this section; and
(B) Payment of the fee for the driver's license or identification card authorized under this chapter.
(2) If the person seeks a duplicate or substitute driver's license or identification card with the communication impediment designation and his or her driver's license or identification card has not expired, the fee shall be as provided under § 27-16-806.
(b)
(1) A person who qualifies for the issuance of a communication impediment designation, or his or her parent or guardian, may purchase a communication impediment decal for his or her license plate for a fee of one dollar ($1.00).
(2) The Department of Finance and Administration shall design a decal to indicate that a person present in a motor vehicle displaying a license plate with a communication impediment decal under subdivision (b)(1) of this section has a medical condition that may impede his or her ability to communicate.
(3) The fee of one dollar ($1.00) authorized by subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall be used by the department to defray the cost of administering this section.
(c) The purpose of the communication impediment designation and decal is to facilitate communication during an encounter between a law enforcement officer, an emergency medical service provider, or a firefighter and a person present in a motor vehicle who has a medical condition that may impede his or her ability to communicate, including without limitation the following medical conditions:
(1) Alzheimer's disease;
(2) Autism spectrum disorders; or
(3) Down syndrome.
(d) The office may:
(1) Determine the appropriate placement of the communication impediment designation on a driver's license or identification card authorized under this section; and
(2) Promulgate the necessary rules for the administration of this section.
(e) This section does not require a person who has a communication impediment to obtain a driver's license or identification card with a communication impediment designation.