(a) A person may apply to the Administration for a temporary parking placard on a form provided by the Administration if:
(1) (i) The applicant is a resident of the State;
(ii) The applicant, a dependent of the applicant, or any individual who depends on the applicant for transportation has a disability, as described in § 13–616(b)(1) of this subtitle; and
(iii) A licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, licensed chiropractor, licensed optometrist, licensed podiatrist, or licensed physical therapist, as defined in § 13–616(a) of this subtitle, certifies that the disability is not permanent but would substantially impair the applicant’s mobility or limit or impair the applicant’s ability to walk for at least 3 weeks, and is so severe that the applicant would endure a hardship or be subject to risk of injury if the temporary parking placard were denied; or
(2) (i) The applicant is a nonresident who is temporarily living in the State; and
(ii) The applicant, a dependent of the applicant, or any individual who depends on the applicant for transportation:
1. Submits proof satisfactory to the Administration that the individual has a disability as described in § 13–616(b)(1) of this subtitle; and
2. A. Is in the State to obtain medical treatment;
B. Is serving in the armed forces of the United States and is stationed in the State;
C. Holds a current Maryland nonresident permit issued under § 13–402.1(e) of this title; or
D. Is subject to any other circumstances that would require the use of a temporary parking placard as determined by the Administrator.
(b) An application under subsection (a) of this section shall be accompanied by:
(1) Proof satisfactory to the Administration that the applicant, the dependent of the applicant, or the individual who depends on the applicant for transportation is a person with a disability under subsection (a) of this section; and
(2) The certification of a licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, licensed chiropractor, licensed optometrist, licensed podiatrist, or licensed physical therapist that the applicant, the dependent of the applicant, or the individual who depends on the applicant for transportation is disabled, including an estimate of the length of time the disability will continue.
(c) (1) A temporary parking placard for a person with a disability issued under this section shall be valid for a period of time the licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, licensed chiropractor, licensed optometrist, licensed podiatrist, or licensed physical therapist has determined that the applicant, the dependent of the applicant, or the individual who depends on the applicant for transportation is likely to have the disability, not to exceed 6 months.
(2) The person to whom a temporary parking placard was issued under this section shall return the placard to the Administration within 5 calendar days of the placard’s expiration.
(d) (1) A temporary parking placard for a person with a disability shall be issued in the form, size, and design determined by the Administration.
(2) A person to whom a temporary parking placard is issued shall display the placard described in this section in a vehicle described in § 13–616.1(e)(2) of this subtitle.
(3) This section applies only to vehicles defined in §§ 13–616(b)(3) and 13–616.1(e)(2) of this subtitle.
(e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, when displayed by the person to whom a temporary parking placard is issued, the temporary parking placard shall be hung from the inside rearview mirror when the vehicle is parked.
(2) A person may not drive a vehicle while a temporary parking placard described under paragraph (1) of this subsection is hanging from the inside rearview mirror.
(3) The temporary parking placard shall be placed inside a vehicle that is not equipped with an inside rearview mirror, in a position from which the temporary parking placard can be viewed from the outside of the vehicle through the lower portion of the windshield on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
(4) When displayed, the person to whom a temporary parking placard is issued under this section or under a similar provision of law of any state or country is accorded the privileges contained in § 13–616(f) of this subtitle.
(f) (1) A person may not commit any fraud or make any misrepresentations in certifying a person’s disability or applying for or using a temporary parking placard.
(2) (i) To determine if the eligibility requirements continue to be met, the Administration may conduct a review of a temporary parking placard that is issued by the Administration under this section.
(ii) If the Administration finds it necessary to review the severity of a placard holder’s disability or the current status of the temporary disability, the Administration may request a review and recommendations from the Medical Advisory Board established under § 16–118 of this article.
(iii) If the Administration determines that eligibility requirements are not being met, the Administration may revoke the temporary parking placard.
(g) The Administration shall:
(1) Administer the temporary parking placard program in accordance with the provisions of this section; and
(2) By July 1, 2001, establish an automated system for recording the issuance, renewal, and expiration of temporary placards in a timely manner to ensure that the objectives of the temporary placard program are achieved in an efficient and orderly manner.
(h) In accordance with the provisions of this section, each board for licensed physicians, licensed physician assistants, licensed chiropractors, licensed optometrists, licensed podiatrists, or licensed physical therapists shall be responsible for the development and maintenance of a database system with which the Administration can interface and verify licensure.