Mason's law

*301.287. Mason's law — designation of impairment with ability to effectively communicate with law enforcement — application, procedure — rules — contingent effective date. — 1. This section shall be known and referred to as "Mason's Law".

2. Beginning January 1, 2027, a resident of this state with a health condition or disability that limits or impairs the ability to effectively communicate with law enforcement may, at any time, apply to the department of revenue for a designation that shall be associated with the person's motor vehicle license plate number and available to law enforcement under the Missouri uniform law enforcement system (MULES) established under chapter 43.

3. The initial application, which shall be on a form prescribed by the department and made available on the department's website, shall be** by signed by a physician licensed under chapter 334, or a psychologist licensed under chapter 337, certifying that:

(1) The applicant or the applicant's child, parent, or spouse has a physical or mental health condition that is likely to impair the ability to effectively communicate with law enforcement; and

(2) The physician or psychologist has determined that the applicant or the applicant's child, parent, or spouse will have the communication impairment for at least five years.

4. Upon submission of an application and approval by the department, the department shall notify the Missouri state highway patrol of the resident's approved application and the highway patrol shall prepare an entry in the Missouri uniform law enforcement system (MULES) that indicates that the applicant or the applicant's child, parent, or spouse has a physical or mental health condition that may impair the ability to effectively communicate with law enforcement. Such entry shall remain active for a period of five years, unless the applicant requests that such designation be removed from the system. Upon expiration of the five-year period, the designation in MULES may be reactivated upon the filing of a renewal form with the department signed by a physician licensed under chapter 334, or a psychologist licensed under chapter 337, certifying that:

(1) The applicant or the applicant's child, parent, or spouse has a physical or mental health condition that is likely to impair the ability to effectively communicate with law enforcement; and

(2) The physician or psychologist has determined that the applicant or the applicant's child, parent, or spouse will have the communication impairment for at least five years.

5. The department of public safety shall issue guidance and education materials to all law enforcement agencies in this state to promote awareness of the designation established under this section.

6. The department of revenue may promulgate all necessary rules and regulations for the administration of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2026, shall be invalid and void.

7. The enactment of this section shall take effect as soon as technologically possible following the development and maintenance of a modernized, integrated system for the titling of vehicles, issuance and renewal of vehicle registrations, issuance and renewal of driver's licenses and identification cards, and perfection and release of liens and encumbrances on vehicles, to be funded by the motor vehicle administration technology fund as created in section 301.558. Following the development of the system, the director of the department of revenue shall notify the governor, the secretary of state, and the revisor of statutes, and shall implement the provisions of this section.