1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Department shall design, prepare and issue license plates honoring peace officers who have received a medal specified in subsection 3, or the equivalent thereof.

2. Each person who qualifies for special license plates pursuant to this section may apply for not more than two sets of plates. If the person applies for a second set of plates for an additional vehicle, the second set of plates must have a different number than the first set of plates issued to the person. Special license plates issued pursuant to this section may be used only on a private passenger vehicle, a noncommercial truck or a motor home.

3. The Department shall issue specially designed license plates for any person qualified pursuant to this section who submits an application on a form prescribed by the Department and evidence satisfactory to the Department that the person is:

(a) A current or former peace officer who has received one or more of the following medals, or the equivalent thereof, for his or her service as a peace officer:

(1) The Medal of Honor;

(2) The Purple Heart;

(3) The Medal of Valor;

(4) The Lifesaving Medal;

(5) The Meritorious Service Medal; or

(6) The Distinguished Service Medal; or

(b) A family member of a person who was:

(1) Killed in the line of duty while serving as a peace officer; and

(2) Awarded posthumously the Medal of Honor, or the equivalent thereof, for his or her actions as a peace officer.

4. A qualifying event described in subsection 3 that entitles a person to special license plates issued pursuant to the provisions of this section is a qualifying event regardless of whether the event occurs or occurred before, on or after July 1, 2013.

5. If, during a registration year, the holder of a set of special license plates issued pursuant to the provisions of this section disposes of the vehicle to which the plates are affixed, the holder shall:

(a) Retain the plates and affix them to another vehicle which meets the requirements of this section and report the change to the Department in accordance with the procedure set forth for other transfers; or

(b) Within 30 days after removing the plates from the vehicle, return them to the Department.

6. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, no fee in addition to the applicable registration and license fees and governmental services taxes may be charged for the issuance or renewal of a set of special license plates pursuant to this section. If the special plates issued pursuant to this section are lost, stolen or mutilated, the owner of the vehicle may secure a set of duplicate number plates from the Department for the fees required pursuant to NRS 482.268.

7. As used in this section:

(a) “Family member” means a widow, widower, parent, stepparent, grandparent, child, stepchild, dependent, sibling, half sibling or stepsibling.

(b) “Killed in the line of duty while serving as a peace officer” includes peace officers who:

(1) Are killed directly in the line of duty; and

(2) Die as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty.

(c) “Peace officer” means any person upon whom some or all of the powers of a peace officer are conferred pursuant to NRS 289.150 to 289.360, inclusive.

(Added to NRS by 2013, 554; A 2015, 2822; 2017, 420)