<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="29" heading="Rejection of Registration Plates" title_num="11" subtitle_num="15">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Scope and Applicability.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The owner of a vehicle in a class eligible for registration plates consisting of letters, numbers, emblems, terms, symbols, logos, or a combination of them may apply for a special registration plate from the Administration.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>This chapter applies to all registration plates issued under COMAR 11.15.07 and 11.15.19 regardless of the date of issuance.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Refusal to Issue Registration Plates.">
    <text>The Administration may refuse to issue or rescind issuance of a registration plate containing letters, numbers, emblems, terms, symbols, logos, or a combination of them which:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Is identical to one already issued by the Administration;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Is being requested for a fraudulent or deceptive purpose;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Has a scatological or sexual meaning or connotation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Contains profanities, epithets, or obscenities;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>Communicates a message of any kind about any of the following characteristics of a group of people:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Race,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Ethnic or national origin,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Color,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Religion,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Disability, or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>Sexual orientation;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="F.">
      <text>Makes reference to the commission of illegal acts; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="G.">
      <text>Contains any other combination that the Administrator finds unacceptable within the law.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Compliance.">
    <text>The Administration shall determine compliance with the conditions set forth in Regulation .02 of this chapter by reference to current and historical usage.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Complaints.">
    <text>A complaint that a plate violates the conditions of Regulation .02 of this chapter may cause the Administration to review the matter, but may not by itself serve as a basis for a determination that the conditions of Regulation .02 of this chapter have been violated.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Administrative Appeals.">
    <text>An organization or individual whose preferred letters, numbers, emblems, terms, symbols, logos, or a combination of them are disapproved by the Administration under this chapter is entitled to a hearing before the Office of Administrative Hearings pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act.</text>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Transportation Article, §§12-104(b) and 13-619, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: October 18, 1999 (26:21 Md. R. 1630)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01 amended as an emergency provision effective August 12, 2015 (42:18 Md. R. 1173); amended permanently effective November 23, 2015 (42:23 Md. R. 1434)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>