Bill > H3747

This bill addresses an issue with duplicate license plate numbers in Massachusetts by establishing several key provisions. First, the bill instructs the registrar of motor vehicles to ensure that no new license plate is issued with an identical sequence of alphanumeric characters as an existing active plate. If such a duplicate is discovered, the registrar must offer the affected registrant a new registration number and plates at no cost. By January 1, 2025, the registrar is required to identify all instances of duplicate plate numbers and notify the affected vehicle owners. Additionally, the bill mandates that municipal, county, and state agencies, including law enforcement and transportation departments, must comprehensively document license plate information by recording not just the horizontal characters, but also any vertically stacked characters, and specify the type of plate (such as specialty, commercial, or standard) when recording plate numbers for purposes like violations, fines, tolls, or fees. The bill is framed as an emergency measure, with the preamble stating that its immediate implementation is necessary for public safety.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3747