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Bill

HB 4502

Create license plate for autism awareness

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bill Anderson and 9 co-sponsors

West Virginia proposes creating an optional autism awareness specialty license plate to raise awareness and potentially generate revenue for autism-related programs and services.

To House Energy and Public Works
#motorvehicles
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Bill Summary · HB 4502

Legislative bill overview

HB 4502 would establish a special license plate design in West Virginia featuring autism awareness messaging or symbols. The bill has been referred to the House Energy and Public Works Committee, which typically handles vehicle-related legislation. This would allow West Virginia residents to display autism awareness on their vehicles through an optional specialty plate.

Why is this important

Specialty license plates serve dual purposes: they generate revenue for designated causes (often through higher fees) and increase public visibility for awareness campaigns. An autism awareness plate could fund autism-related programs or organizations while normalizing autism representation in public spaces. This is particularly relevant given autism's prevalence, affecting approximately 1 in 36 children according to CDC data.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue allocation unclear — The bill's text (not provided) would need to specify how revenue from plate sales is distributed and to which organizations, raising questions about accountability and whether funds actually benefit autism services
  • Effectiveness of awareness campaigns — Critics may question whether specialty plates meaningfully increase public understanding or if the funding would be better directed to direct services and support programs
  • Administrative costs — Creating new plate designs requires DMV resources for production and distribution, with unclear cost-benefit analysis for the state

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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