(a) The Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall issue a special Virgin Islands Identification Card, which shall be known as a “Virgin Islands Disabled Person Identification Card”, to any natural person who is a legal resident of the Virgin Islands, who is determined by a specialized licensed physician in his or her respective field to be a disabled person as defined in subsection (d) of this section, who applies for such card, or renewal thereof. The Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall charge no fee to issue such card. The card shall be prepared and supplied by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and shall include, at a minimum, a photograph and signature or mark of the applicant, a designation indicating that the card is a Virgin Islands Disabled Person Identification Card, and shall include a comprehensible designation of the type of the applicant’s disability as set out in subsection (d) of this section. In consultation with health care providers, the Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles will determine the design specification and information to be placed on the Virgin Islands Disabled Identification Card. The Virgin Islands Disabled Person Identification Card may be used for identification purposes in any lawful situation by the person to whom it was issued.
(b) The Virgin Islands Disabled Person Identification Card may be used as adequate documentation of disability in lieu of a physician’s determination of disability, a determination of disability from a physician assistant who has been delegated the authority to make this determination by his or her supervising physician, a determination of disability from an advance practice nurse who has a written collaborative agreement with a collaborating physician that authorizes the advanced practice nurse to make this determination, or any other documentation of disability whenever any local law requires that a disabled person provide such documentation of disability, however; a Virgin Islands Disabled Person Identification Card shall not qualify the cardholder to participate in any program or to receive any benefit which is not available to all persons with like disabilities, Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, a Virgin Islands Disabled Person Identification Card, or evidence that the Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles has issued such a Virgin Islands Disabled Person Identification Card, shall not be used by any person other than the person named on such card to prove that the person named on such card is a disabled person, or for any other purpose, unless the card is used for the benefit of the person named on such card, and the person named on such card consents to such use at the time the card is so used.
(c) When medical information is contained on a Virgin Islands Disabled Person Identification Card, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Government of the Virgin Islands shall not be liable for any actions taken based upon that medical information.
(d) “Disabled person” as used in this section means any person who is, and who is expected to indefinitely continue to be, subject to any of the following five types of disabilities:
(1) Physical disability. A physical disability is a physical impairment, disease, or loss, which is of a permanent nature, and which substantially impairs normal physical ability or motor skills. A specialized licensed physician in his or her respective field of medical practice will determine and certify the presence of a physical disability, or any of the identified disabilities stated in this Bill.
(2) Developmental disability. A developmental disability is a disability which originates before the age of 18 years, and results in or has resulted in impairment similar to that caused by a mental disability, and which requires services similar to those required by mentally disabled persons, and which is attributable to a mental disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or other conditions or similar disorders. A specialized licensed physician in his or her respective field of medical practice will determine and certify the presence of a developmental disability or any of the identified disabilities stated in this Bill.
(3) Visual disability. A visual disability is a disability resulting in complete absence of vision, or vision that with corrective glasses is so defective as to prevent performance of tasks or activities for which eyesight is essential. A specialized licensed physician in his or her respective field of medical practice will determine and certify the presence of a visual disability or any of the identified disabilities stated in this Bill.
(4) Hearing disability. A specialized licensed physician in his or her respective field of medical practice will determine and certify the presence of a hearing disability, or any of the identified disabilities stated in this Bill. The Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in cooperation with the Commissioner of Health shall establish standards not inconsistent with this provision necessary to determine the presence of a hearing disability.
(5) Mental disability. A mental disability is an emotional or psychological impairment or disease, which substantially impairs the ability to meet individual or societal needs. A specialized licensed physician in his or her respective field of medical practice will determine and certify the presence of a mental disability, or any of the identified disabilities stated in this Bill.
(e) A Virgin Islands Disabled Person Identification Card is valid for five (5) years and expires on the person's birthday in the fifth year after issuance.
(f) The Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall promulgate rules for the application for and renewal of a Virgin Islands Disabled Person Identification Card.