AlabamaAlabama drivers with qualifying conditions can receive disability decals
Starting January 1, 2027, eligible Alabama vehicle owners and their primary caretakers can receive a chosen plate and disability decal after meeting the law’s proof, registration, and fee rules.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2027, eligible Alabama vehicle owners and primary caretakers can receive a chosen license plate and an “Invisible Disability” decal after applying, showing a doctor’s diagnosis, and meeting registration and fee rules.
Kulturecity, Incorporated, must design the decal for the Revenue commissioner’s approval. The decal alone does not allow its holder to park in spaces reserved for people with disabilities.
Argument forA visible decal could help first responders recognize that a driver may have a condition affecting communication, such as hearing loss or autism.
Argument againstPeople with the decal could mistake it for parking permission, though they still need a special access plate or placard to use reserved spaces.
More detail
Issuing officials must issue the chosen license plate and an “Invisible Disability” decal when an eligible person applies and meets the listed requirements. The applicant must be an Alabama resident who owns a motor vehicle and has a diagnosed qualifying condition, or the primary caretaker of someone with such a diagnosis. The condition must be physical or mental and may interfere with communication with a first responder. Applicants must follow vehicle registration and licensing laws and pay regular plate fees. Applicants must present a diagnosis from a physician licensed in Alabama; an additional fee applies if they choose a distinctive plate. The law takes effect January 1, 2027. The decal remains valid until the registrant’s license plate is reissued.
Kulturecity, Incorporated, must design the decal, and the Commissioner of Revenue must approve it. These rules apply to the “Invisible Disability” decal issued under this law. The design must follow applicable laws and rules. The decal alone does not allow parking in special access spaces; the person must also have a special access plate or placard issued under the cited laws. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 16EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 8Signature Requested
- Apr 8Delivered to GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 7Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1186. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 7Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1186Passed Senate
- Apr 7Ready to Enroll
- Apr 7Enrolled
- Mar 11Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Mar 11Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety)Minor
- Mar 3Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 689. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 690. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Public Safety and Homeland Security Engrossed Substitute Offered (Public Safety and Homeland Security)Minor
- Mar 3Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 689Major
- Mar 3Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 690Passed House
- Mar 3Engrossed
- Mar 3Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public SafetyMinor
- Mar 3Pending Committee Action in Second House (Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety)
- Feb 25Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Public Safety and Homeland Security)
- Feb 25Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Public Safety and Homeland Security)Minor
- Feb 17Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland SecurityMinor
- Feb 17Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Public Safety and Homeland Security)Introduced
TransportationDisability Rights