(a) On and after May 19, 2014, any registration plate that is retained or renewed by, or initially issued to, a surviving spouse pursuant to § 55-4-252, § 55-4-253, § 55-4-255, § 55-4-257, § 55-4-261, § 55-4-263 or § 55-4-273, or § 55-4-274, as applicable, shall be distinguished by a surviving spouse decal. The design of the decal shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner of veterans services. The placement of the decal on the plate shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner of revenue; provided, that the decal shall be placed in a conspicuous manner.
(b) The department of revenue shall charge a one-time fee for issuance of the decal in an amount sufficient to defray the administrative costs of implementing this section. The one-time fee for a decal is in addition to any other applicable fees required for issuance of the plate to the surviving spouse pursuant to § 55-4-252, § 55-4-253, § 55-4-255, § 55-4-257, § 55-4-261, or § 55-4-263, § 55-4-273 or § 55-4-274; except, that a decal shall be issued free of charge to a surviving spouse who is issued a former prisoner of war registration plate free of charge under § 55-4-261 or a surviving spouse who, prior to May 19, 2014, was issued a Purple Heart registration plate free of charge under § 55-4-257. Upon application for a decal and payment of the one-time fee, the surviving spouse shall be entitled to issuance of the decal.
