SECTION 1. Section 31-3-48 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-3-48. Plates for recipients of Purple Heart. -- (a) The administrator of motor vehicles is empowered to make available to recipients of the Purple Heart Medal a special motor vehicle registration plate indicating the owner as a recipient of the Purple Heart. The applicant shall be required to pay a registration fee and a transfer charge of five dollars ($5.00) for the plate.

(b) The plate shall contain the words "combat wounded" across the top of the plate, shall bear an insignia for the Purple Heart, be followed by the letters "P H", and then a numeral or numerals. The Purple Heart insignia may be reproduced on the plate in the color purple.

(c) Upon the death of the holder of any purple heart plates, the plates shall be transferred to the surviving spouse for the spouse's lifetime or until remarriage.

(d) The applicant is not required to pay a registration fee or service charge for the plates.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.