SB433: SB433 "Rio's Law"

Georgia currently has no specific license plate identifying a vehicle owner or passenger as a person with autism spectrum disorder or a developmental disability. This bill, named Rio's Law, creates one. Starting January 1, 2027, a Georgia resident who submits a doctor's or licensed psychologist's affidavit confirming that they, their spouse, child, or ward has autism spectrum disorder or a developmental disability can get a specially designed plate bearing a "Just Bee" symbol. Spouses, parents, legal guardians, and joint vehicle owners can also obtain the plate for a shared vehicle. The bill sets penalties for lying to get the plate and requires the plate to be canceled and replaced with a regular one if the qualifying person dies or joint ownership ends. Separately, it adds a new law requiring Georgia's peace officer training program to include instruction, starting in 2027, on recognizing and safely interacting with people who have autism spectrum disorder or a developmental disability, developed with input from state health agencies and nonprofit groups.

• Creates a new specially designed license plate for Georgians with autism spectrum disorder or a developmental disability, available starting January 1, 2027 (O.C.G.A. § 40-2-75).
• Allows the person's spouse, parent, legal guardian, or joint vehicle owner to obtain the plate for a shared or relevant vehicle.
• Requires a signed statement (affidavit) from a licensed doctor or psychologist confirming the diagnosis before the plate can be issued.
• Makes it a misdemeanor crime to falsely claim eligibility for the plate, for a healthcare provider to falsely certify eligibility, or to keep the plate without authorization.
• Requires the plate to be canceled and swapped for a regular plate if the qualifying person dies or joint ownership of the vehicle ends.
• Adds a requirement that Georgia peace officer basic training, starting January 1, 2027, cover encounters with people who have autism spectrum disorder or a developmental disability.

Georgians with autism spectrum disorder or a developmental disability and their spouses, parents, or legal guardians; doctors and psychologists who must certify eligibility; the state motor vehicle commissioner's office; and Georgia's police and law enforcement training system, including the Department of Community Health and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Families could get a visible marker on their vehicle intended to help police recognize during a traffic stop or emergency that a driver or passenger may have autism or a developmental disability, while officers statewide would receive specific training on communication techniques and alternatives to physical restraint in these encounters.

• Section 1 gives the bill its short title, "Rio's Law."
• Section 2 rewrites O.C.G.A. § 40-2-75 to create the specialty license plate program, effective January 1, 2027, requiring a healing arts practitioner's affidavit and defining who qualifies to obtain the plate.
• Section 2 also sets misdemeanor penalties for false representations by applicants, false affidavits by practitioners, and unauthorized possession of the plate.
• Section 2 directs the commissioner to design the plate with the "Just Bee" symbol or a similar image and requires transfer procedures to follow existing plate transfer law (O.C.G.A. § 40-2-80).
• Section 3 adds O.C.G.A. § 35-8-28, requiring peace officer basic training beginning January 1, 2027 to cover recognizing symptoms, communication techniques, restraint alternatives, and caregiver contact protocols for encounters involving autism spectrum disorder or developmental disability.
• Section 3 requires the training council to develop the curriculum in collaboration with the Department of Community Health, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, and nonprofit organizations with relevant expertise.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-06Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-06Act 423
3. 2026-05-06Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2026-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2026-03-25House Passed/Adopted (House)
6. 2026-03-25House Third Readers (House)
7. 2026-03-19House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
8. 2026-03-03House Second Readers (House)

• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)Primary sponsor
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Eddie Lumsden (R, HD-012)

1. PassedSenate voteFebruary 25, 2026

   54 yea, 0 nay (0 not voting, 1 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #580

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 25, 2026

   169 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 5 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #757

• autism spectrum disorder
• license plates
• developmental disabilities
• police training
• disability rights