Creates a distinctive plate for New York state licensed mental health counselors.
Summary
This bill authorizes the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a distinctive license plate for New York state licensed mental health counselors, marked with the letters “MHC.” Any resident who is currently licensed as a mental health counselor in New York may apply for the plate, and the plate would be available only to the counselor, not to a spouse unless the spouse is also licensed as a mental health counselor. Applicants would need to provide proof of licensure and renew the verification annually.
The bill sets the plate up as a standard registration plate with an added annual service charge of $25, plus a possible additional DMV fee of up to $15 to cover design, production, advertising, and marketing costs. It also includes the usual special-plate startup requirement: the plate may not be produced unless enough advance orders are received or a surety bond is posted to protect against insufficient demand. If at least 200 plates are sold within two years, the bond requirement ends; if not, DMV may recover against the bond proportionally.
Impact
The bill would amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new section authorizing a specialty plate program for licensed mental health counselors. It would also interact with the State Finance Law’s distinctive plate development fund by directing additional fees into that fund for plate-related administrative costs. The practical effect is limited to DMV administration and to eligible counselors who choose to purchase the plate, with no change to licensure standards or counseling practice rules.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally positive, low-conflict support for the bill, as it is a recognition measure for a licensed profession rather than a controversial policy change. There is no recorded committee transcript or vote history indicating opposition, amendment debate, or divided sentiment. The bill appears to be framed as a professional acknowledgment and optional consumer choice for eligible licensees.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is not the policy itself but the cost and administrative mechanics of launching a specialty plate series, including the annual service charge, the possible extra DMV fee, and the surety bond or minimum-order requirement. Any concern would likely come from whether enough demand exists to justify production and whether the added fees are appropriate. No specific opposition from any stakeholder is recorded in the provided materials.
Provides distinctive license plates for the parents, spouses, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, and grandparents of police officers killed in the line of duty; eliminates the registration fee for family member distinctive license plates.
Providing for the Kansas PBS distinctive license plate and discontinuing the issuance of certain distinctive and educational institution license plates.