HB 2587 - DIGEST

Finds that persons with medical or physical conditions that prevent them from wearing safety belts in motor vehicles are being unnecessarily stopped by law enforcement officers and issued citations for failing to wear safety belts under RCW 46.61.688. This act is intended to assist law enforcement officers in identifying persons with medical or physical exemptions to safety belt requirements.

Provides that a safety belt exemption sticker is valid for six months unless a shorter time period is indicated in the physician's statement. The safety belt exemption sticker may be renewed once for an additional consecutive six-month period.

Declares that the applications for safety belt medical exemption stickers are official state documents. Knowingly providing false information with the intent to obtain an exemption in conjunction with the application is a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

Provides that unauthorized use of a safety belt medical exemption sticker is a traffic infraction with a monetary penalty of two hundred fifty dollars.