HOUSE BILL NO. 5279

November 12, 2025, Introduced by Reps. Brixie, Rogers, Morgan, Xiong, Young, Neeley, O'Neal, Byrnes, B. Carter, Price, McKinney, Witwer, Tate, Liberati, Weiss, Steckloff, Tsernoglou, Paiz, Scott, Glanville, Dievendorf, Mentzer, Longjohn, T. Carter, Andrews, Miller, Koleszar, McFall, Wooden and Breen and referred to Committee on Government Operations.

"Michigan vehicle code,"

by amending section 310 (MCL 257.310), as amended by 2021 PA 104, and by adding sections 803v and 803w.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 310. (1) The secretary of state shall issue an operator's license to each person individual licensed as an operator and a chauffeur's license to each person individual licensed as a chauffeur. An applicant for a motorcycle indorsement endorsement under section 312a or a vehicle group designation or indorsement endorsement shall first qualify for an operator's or chauffeur's license before the indorsement endorsement or vehicle group designation application is accepted and processed. An original license or the first renewal of an existing license issued to a person less an individual younger than 21 years of age must be portrait or vertical in form and a license issued to a person an individual 21 years of age or over older must be landscape or horizontal in form.

(2) The license issued under subsection (1) must contain all of the following:

(a) The distinguishing number permanently assigned to the licensee.

(b) Except as provided in section 310f, the full legal name, date of birth, address of residence, height, eye color, sex, digital photographic image, expiration date, and signature of the licensee.

(c) In the case of a licensee who has indicated his or her the licensee's wish to participate in the anatomical gift donor registry under part 101 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.10101 to 333.10123, a heart insignia on the front of the license.

(d) Physical security features designed to prevent tampering, counterfeiting, or duplication of the license for fraudulent purposes.

(e) If requested by an individual who is a veteran of the armed forces of this state, another state, or the United States or the uniformed services of the United States, as that term is defined in 37 USC 101, a designation that the individual is a veteran. The designation must be in a style and format considered appropriate by the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall require proof of discharge or separation of service from the armed forces of this state, another state, or the United States or from 1 of the uniformed services of the United States, as that term is defined in 37 USC 101, and the nature of that discharge, for the purposes of verifying an individual's status as a veteran under this subdivision. The secretary of state shall consult with the respective uniformed service's department or the department of military and veterans affairs in determining the proof that must be required to identify an individual's status as a veteran for the purposes of this subsection. The secretary of state may provide the respective uniformed service's department or the department of military and veterans affairs and agencies of the counties of this state that provide veteran services with information provided by an applicant under this subsection for the purpose of veterans' benefits eligibility referral.

(3) Except as otherwise required under this chapter, other information required on the license under this chapter may appear on the license in a form prescribed by the secretary of state.

(4) The license must not contain a fingerprint or finger image of the licensee.

(5) A digitized license may contain an identifier for voter registration purposes. The digitized license may contain information appearing in electronic or machine-readable codes needed to conduct a transaction with the secretary of state. The information must be limited to the information described in subsection (2)(a) and (b) except for the person's individual's digital photographic image and signature, state of issuance, license expiration date, and other information necessary for use with electronic devices, machine readers, or automatic teller machines and must not contain the driving record or other personal identifier. The license must identify the encoded information.

(6) The license must be manufactured in a manner to prohibit as nearly as possible the ability to reproduce, alter, counterfeit, forge, or duplicate the license without ready detection. In addition, a license with a vehicle group designation must contain the information required under 49 CFR part 383.

(7) Except as provided in subsection (11), a person who that intentionally reproduces, alters, counterfeits, forges, or duplicates a license photograph, the negative of the photograph, image, license, or electronic data contained on a license or a part of a license or who that uses a license, image, or photograph that has been reproduced, altered, counterfeited, forged, or duplicated is subject to 1 of the following:

(a) If the intent of the reproduction, alteration, counterfeiting, forging, duplication, or use is to commit or aid in the commission of an offense that is a felony punishable by imprisonment for 10 or more years, the person committing the reproduction, alteration, counterfeiting, forging, duplication, or use is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $20,000.00, or both.

(b) If the intent of the reproduction, alteration, counterfeiting, forging, duplication, or use is to commit or aid in the commission of an offense that is a felony punishable by imprisonment for less than 10 years or a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for 6 months or more, the person committing the reproduction, alteration, counterfeiting, forging, duplication, or use is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.

(c) If the intent of the reproduction, alteration, counterfeiting, forging, duplication, or use is to commit or aid in the commission of an offense that is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for less than 6 months, the person committing the reproduction, alteration, counterfeiting, forging, duplication, or use is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.

(8) Except as provided in subsections (11) and (16), a person who that sells, or who that possesses with the intent to deliver to another, a reproduced, altered, counterfeited, forged, or duplicated license photograph, negative of the photograph, image, license, or electronic data contained on a license or part of a license is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.

(9) Except as provided in subsections (11) and (16), a person who that is in possession of 2 or more reproduced, altered, counterfeited, forged, or duplicated license photographs, negatives of the photograph, images, licenses, or electronic data contained on a license or part of a license is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.

(10) Except as provided in subsection (16), a person who that is in possession of a reproduced, altered, counterfeited, forged, or duplicated license photograph, negative of the photograph, image, license, or electronic data contained on a license or part of a license is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.

(11) Subsections (7)(a) and (b), (8), and (9) do not apply to a minor whose intent is to violate section 703 of the Michigan liquor control code of 1998, 1998 PA 58, MCL 436.1703.

(12) The secretary of state, upon determining after an examination that an applicant is mentally and physically qualified to receive a license, may issue the applicant a temporary driver's permit. The temporary driver's permit entitles the applicant, while having the permit in his or her the applicant's immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle upon the highway for a period not exceeding 60 days before the secretary of state has issued the applicant an operator's or chauffeur's license. The secretary of state may establish a longer duration for the validity of a temporary driver's permit if necessary to accommodate the process of obtaining a background check that is required for an applicant by federal law.

(13) An operator or chauffeur may indicate on the license in a place designated by the secretary of state his or her the operator's or chauffeur's blood type, emergency contact information, immunization data, medication data, or a statement that the licensee is deaf. The secretary of state shall not require an applicant for an original or renewal operator's or chauffeur's license to provide emergency contact information as a condition of obtaining a license. However, the secretary of state may inquire whether an operator or chauffeur would like to provide emergency contact information and, beginning July 1, 2021, shall allow an operator or chauffeur that meets the requirements of subsection (21) to elect a communication impediment designation. Emergency contact information obtained under this subsection must be disclosed only to a state or federal law enforcement agency for law enforcement purposes or to the extent necessary for a medical emergency. The secretary of state shall develop and shall, in conjunction with the department of state police, implement a process using the L.E.I.N. or any other appropriate system that limits access to law enforcement that would allow law enforcement agencies of this state to access emergency contact information and, beginning July 1, 2021, to view a communication impediment designation that the holder of an operator's license has voluntarily provided to the secretary of state.

(14) An operator or chauffeur may indicate on the license in a place designated by the secretary of state that he or she the operator or chauffeur has designated a patient advocate in accordance with sections 5506 to 5515 of the estates and protected individuals code, 1998 PA 386, MCL 700.5506 to 700.5515.

(15) If the applicant provides proof to the secretary of state that he or she the applicant is a minor who has been emancipated under 1968 PA 293, MCL 722.1 to 722.6, the license must bear the designation of the individual's emancipated status in a manner prescribed by the secretary of state.

(16) Subsections (8), (9), and (10) do not apply to a person who that is in possession of 1 or more photocopies, reproductions, or duplications of a license to document the identity of the licensee for a legitimate business purpose.

(17) A sticker or decal may be provided by any person, hospital, school, medical group, or association interested in assisting in implementing an emergency medical information card, but must meet the specifications of the secretary of state. An emergency medical information card may contain information concerning the licensee's patient advocate designation, other emergency medical information, or an indication as to where the licensee has stored or registered emergency medical information.

(18) The secretary of state shall inquire of each licensee, in person or by mail, whether the licensee agrees to participate in the anatomical gift donor registry under part 101 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.10101 to 333.10123.

(19) A licensee who has agreed to participate in the anatomical gift donor registry under part 101 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.10101 to 333.10123, must not be considered to have revoked that agreement solely because the licensee's license has been revoked or suspended or has expired. Enrollment in the donor registry constitutes a legal agreement that remains binding and in effect after the donor's death regardless of the expressed desires of the deceased donor's next of kin who may oppose the donor's anatomical gift.

(20) If an operator's or chauffeur's license is issued to an individual described in section 307(1)(b) who has temporary lawful status, the license must be issued in compliance with 6 CFR 37.21 or in compliance with the process established to comply with 6 CFR 37.71 by the secretary of state.

(21) An operator or chauffeur seeking an election for a communication impediment designation under subsection (13) shall provide to the secretary of state a certification that meets all of the following:

(a) Is signed by a physician, physician assistant, certified nurse practitioner, audiologist, speech-language pathologist, psychologist, or physical therapist licensed to practice in this state.

(b) Identifies the individual for whom the communication impediment designation is being elected.

(22) A person who that intentionally makes a false statement of material fact or commits or attempts to commit a deception or fraud on a statement described under subsection (21) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 30 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both.

(23) Subject to subsection (24), the secretary of state may cancel or revoke a communication impediment designation elected and maintained under this section if either of the following circumstances applies:

(a) The secretary of state determines that a communication impediment designation was fraudulently or erroneously elected.

(b) The secretary of state determines the communication impediment designation was abused during a traffic stop.

(24) The secretary of state shall provide the operator or chauffeur notice and an opportunity to be heard before canceling or revoking a communication impediment designation under subsection (23).

(25) As used in this section:

(a) "Communication impediment" means the operator or chauffeur has a health condition of an operator or chauffeur that may impede the operator's or chauffeur's communication with a police officer during a traffic stop, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

(i) Deafness or hearing loss.

(ii) An autism spectrum disorder.

(b) "Emergency contact information" means the name, telephone number, or address of an individual that is used for the sole purpose of contacting that individual when the holder of an operator's license has been involved in an emergency.

(d) "Veteran" means that term as defined in section 1 of 1965 PA 190, MCL 35.61. Veteran includes an individual who served in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps or the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

Sec. 803v. (1) An individual who was a member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate that displays an appropriate vignette preceding the registration numbers and has the word "veteran" inscribed beneath the registration numbers.

(2) The application for a special registration plate must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and accompanied by any proof of the applicant having been a member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps that the secretary of state may require. The application for a special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804.

(3) Upon proper application, the secretary of state shall issue 1 or more special registration plates under this section for each applicant for use on a passenger vehicle. An individual who is a disabled person and applies for a special registration plate under this section must be issued a tab for persons with disabilities as provided in section 803f for the applicant's special registration plate. The secretary of state shall require the same proof that the applicant is a disabled person as is required for issuance of a permanent windshield placard under section 675. An individual issued 1 or more special registration plates under subsection (1) must be assessed the applicable tax provided in section 801.

(4) The use of a special registration plate issued under this section on a vehicle other than the vehicle for which the plate is issued, or by a person that does not qualify under this section, is a misdemeanor.

(5) The special registration plate issued under this section expires on the birthday of the vehicle owner. When new plates are issued by the secretary of state, application for renewal of the special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804. The applicant is not required to furnish the proof provided in subsection (2).

Sec. 803w. (1) An individual who was a member of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate that displays an appropriate vignette preceding the registration numbers and has the word "veteran" inscribed beneath the registration numbers.

(2) The application for a special registration plate must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and accompanied by any proof of the applicant having been a member of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps that the secretary of state may require. The application for a special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804.