(a) The purpose of this section is to honor the family members of a deceased service member.
(b) The Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to issue one (1) Gold Star Family special license plate to an applicant who establishes upon initial application that he or she is a family member of a deceased service member.
(c) There is no cost for the issuance or renewal of the Gold Star Family special license plate under this section.
(d)
(1) The Department of Finance and Administration shall design the Gold Star Family special license plates issued under this section as provided under this subsection.
(2) The design of the Gold Star Family special license plate shall include a large gold star on the left-hand side of the Gold Star Family special license plate and a decal at the bottom of the plate that states “Gold Star Family” in lieu of the legend “The Natural State” or any succeeding legend.
(3) An additional decal that states “combat-related death” may be placed on the Gold Star Family special license plate if the deceased service member was killed in action.
(e) A Gold Star Family special license plate is not transferable as provided under § 27-24-207.
(f) The registration of a Gold Star Family special license plate under this section may continue from year to year so long as it is renewed each year within the time and in the manner required by law.
(g)
(1) A family member applying for a Gold Star Family special license plate authorized by subsection (b) of this section shall provide the Department of Finance and Administration with:
(A) Documentation showing classification of death as listed by the United States Secretary of Defense;
(B)
(i) A Report of Casualty form, DD Form 1300, or a Serious Incident Report issued by the United States Armed Forces.
(ii) If the person applying for the Gold Star Family special license plate is not listed on a report under subdivision (g)(1)(B)(i) of this section, additional documentation shall be required by the Department of Finance and Administration to verify familial status, including without limitation a birth certificate or obituary; or
(C) Verification of eligibility for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or other documentation which identifies a service-connected illness or injury as the cause of death of the deceased service member.
(2)
(A) The Department of Finance and Administration may consult with the Department of the Military regarding supporting documentation that may be used by a family member to prove eligibility when applying for a Gold Star Family special license plate.
(B) However, the Department of Finance and Administration shall make the final decision as to whether or not the applicant is eligible to be issued a Gold Star Family special license plate.
(h) As used in this section:
(1) “Deceased service member” means a member of the United States Armed Forces who was killed or died in the honorable performance of his or her duty within one (1) year of receiving a service-connected injury or contracting a service-connected illness; and
(2) “Family member” means a spouse, parent, sibling, or child of a member of the United States Armed Forces, including without limitation:
(A) A birthmother or birthfather;
(B) A stepmother or stepfather;
(C) An adoptive parent;
(D) A biological child;
(E) An adopted child; or
(F) A stepchild.