Act 55 of 2016 amended the Vehicle Code to allow a parent or spouse caring for a disabiled adult to apply for a disability license plate.

Prior to the amendment, a parent/caretaker seeking to obtain a disability license plate typically was advised to add the adult child as a co-owner on the vehicle title, incurring the additional cost of getting a new title.

In his co-sponsorship memo to legislators, the Act's prime sponsor, State Sen. Thomas J. McGarrigle, wrote, "This legislation will provide access to vehicle disability license plates to the parent, including adoptive parent or foster parent, of an adult child provided that the person has custody, care or control of the adult child and the adult child satisfies currently established parameters to qualify for a disability license plate."

The Act also allows the spouse of a disabled individual to apply for a disability license plate.

The full text of Act 55 is available on the General Assembly's Web site, www.legis.state.pa.us/. Type "SB 983" in the search box in the upper right corner of the page. Then click Printer's Number 1852.

Approved by the governor on June 23, Act 55 takes effect in 60 days, on Aug. 22.