Section 14-253a-18 - Certification of blindness or disability(a) Before special license plates, a removable windshield placard or a temporary removable windshield placard may be issued to or for a person who is blind or a person with disabilities, the department shall receive and approve a certification under penalty of false statement of disability or legal blindness of such person. Such certification shall be delivered by the authorized certifying authority as listed below through electronic submission or other means prescribed by the commissioner;(b) In the case of a person who is legally blind, the certification shall be by an ophthalmologist or optometrist licensed in this state or by the Connecticut Board of Education and Services for the Blind.(c) In the case of a person with disabilities other than blindness, the certification shall be by a physician, a physician's assistant licensed in this state, an advanced practice registered nurse, licensed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 378 of the Connecticut General Statutes, or by an authorized employee of the department who is a member of the handicapped driver training unit established in accordance with section 14-11b of the Connecticut General Statutes.(d) At the discretion of the commissioner, certification of service connected disability or legal blindness issued by the United States Veterans Administration on behalf of an individual applicant may be accepted.(e) The certification made in accordance with subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall be made on the application form, or as otherwise required by the commissioner.(f) If the commissioner has reasonable belief that the person may not meet the criteria for a person who is blind or for a person with disabilities, the commissioner may require additional evidence or certification that the applicant is a person who is blind or has a disability which limits or impairs the applicant's ability to walk.(g) A request for additional evidence or certification in accordance with subsection (e) of this section shall be made in writing to the applicant's address of record at the department or an alternative standard or electronic mailing address as directed by the applicant or nominee.(h) If an applicant who has been requested to submit additional evidence or certification in accordance with subsection (e) of this section fails to do so within thirty days of the mailing of such request, or if upon receipt of such additional evidence or certification is deemed to be unqualified by the commissioner, the commissioner may refuse to issue, or, if already issued, may suspend or revoke and require the return of any special license plates, removable windshield placard or temporary removable windshield placard issued to or on behalf of such person.(i) Any person whose application has been denied, or whose special license plates, removable windshield placard or temporary removable windshield placard has been suspended or revoked in accordance with subsection (h) of this section, shall be provided notice and afforded an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 54 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Any suspension or revocation shall be stayed pending the hearing.(j) Any medical reports or medical evidence submitted in accordance with this section shall be maintained in confidence by the commissioner and shall not be open to public inspection except as required by law.Conn. Agencies Regs. § 14-253a-18
Effective November 2, 2011