(a) The following special license plates or license plates with permanent decals for members and veterans of the United States Armed Forces and similar entities that were in existence or authorized by enactment on or before April 13, 2005, shall continue to be issued by the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration to an eligible applicant:
(1) Disabled Veteran;
(2) Disabled Veteran — World War I;
(3) Disabled Veteran — Nonservice injury;
(4) Medal of Honor Recipient;
(5) Ex-Prisoner of War;
(6) Military Reserve;
(7) Pearl Harbor Survivor;
(8) Merchant Marine;
(9) World War II Veteran;
(10) Korean War Veteran;
(11) Vietnam Veteran;
(12) Persian Gulf Veteran;
(13) Armed Forces Veteran;
(14) Distinguished Flying Cross;
(15) Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran; and
(16) Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran.
(b) Beginning January 1, 2014, the secretary shall create and issue a permanent decal for a Vietnam Era Veteran consistent with § 27-24-209 to an eligible applicant.
(c)
(1) The Purple Heart Recipient special license plate that existed before April 13, 2005, shall continue to be issued by the secretary to an eligible applicant.
(2) However, on the Purple Heart Recipient special license plates issued after April 13, 2005, the words “Purple Heart — Combat Wounded” shall appear.
(d) The secretary shall promulgate rules and forms to ensure that an owner of a motor vehicle who is issued a special license plate under this subchapter:
(1) Is eligible to be issued the particular special license plate based on his or her:
(A) Status as a disabled veteran or veteran of a foreign war;
(B) Status of being the recipient of a military honor;
(C) Status of being an ex-prisoner of war; or
(D) Past or present military service; and
(2) Either:
(A) Has an honorable record of military service; or
(B) Was honorably discharged from military service.