Legislation to add an extra layer of verification to the process of issuing and renewing disabled person identification placards used by motorists to access disabled parking was released Thursday by the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee. The bill was sponsored by Assemblymen Troy Singleton, John J. Burzichelli and Reed Gusciora.
“Instances of abuse involving disabled persons parking tags were first brought to my attention by a concerned constituent with a severe disability who had firsthand experience with the problem,” said Singleton (D-Burlington). “After listening to her concerns and talking to my colleagues, we came up with what we think is a simple, yet effective, way to address the problem.”
Under current law, “handicapped” placards issued to individuals with a disability do not have an expiration date. This has led to situations in which individuals who received a tag while temporarily disabled continued to use the tag – and the privileges it confers – even after it is no longer needed.
Under the Singleton/Burzichelli/Gusciora bill, the following changes would be made concerning the issuance and renewal of temporary and permanent disabled person identification cards and placards:
The term “handicapped” would be replaced with “disabled,” in keeping with current state law that requires offensive or outmoded terminology be replaced with more acceptable, current language;
All disabled persons windshield placards would be issued with a prominently printed and displayed expiration date;
Permanent disabled persons identification cards and placards would be required to be renewed every three years; and
The certification of a medical professional would be required for the issuance and/or renewal of a disabled persons identification card or placard.
“We’ve all been walking into a restaurant or grocery store at one time or another and have seen high-performance sports cars parked in disabled parking spots or watched on a rainy day as an individual parked in a disabled person’s space leapt nimbly from their vehicle and sprinted to their destination,” said Burzichelli (D-Gloucester). “Making these common-sense changes to the law will ensure that we see less of these types of scenarios in the future.”
“Providing tags to access disabled persons parking is a small way to make daily activities a little less challenging for the disabled individual and their families,” said Gusciora (D-Mercer). “So when these tags are abused or misused, it can cause a disruption that cascades throughout the disabled person’s whole day. Adding prominent, visible expiration dates to these tags will help eliminate some of the abuse.”
Several states, including Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Wisconsin have some or all of these restrictions already in place. The measure now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote. TLS.
I always see the handicap spots empty.
Lets increase its usage and allow pregnant women and people with small children.
why why why do you need 3 years to exprire if they are handicap temp it could be much shorter so do it for like two months so they won’t get away with it
for women who are pregnant or have small children, there should be other designated spots. As far as someone leaping nimbly out of a car in a handicapped spot, maybe the tag belongs to someone else who uses the car. That also is illegal. Or maybe the handicap is of a different nature, not so visible.
When I ripped a knee muscle about 15 years ago I received a temporary handicapped placard with a expiration date clearly marked on it. I am not sure what is new here.
Just for the record I think this is a good idea although I like “Dr Laura” idea. They have such spaces in the Monmouth Medical parking garage and it was greatly appreciated. The room for abuse probably makes it not worth enacting.
will this include current tags or just new placards… i had both knees replaced , and a triple bypass. i have a mv id card & i carry a card to get through metal detectors from my ortho-doctor…
Sure, we’ll send handicaps to the doctor and to the DMV every two months, no problem.
Hey, maybe people will have temporary handicaps that are shorter than two months, and they too will take advantage.
You know what? We’ll make the certificates renewable twice a week. That should make it easier to weed out the fakers.
As if elderly parents who have no medicare because they are caring for mentally disabled siblings, have time or energy to go to DMV for this? I hope they add wording to protect these oppressed people.
I have a handicapped placard but every year I get a renewal in the mail for the little disabled person ID card. I am not sure whats new here either. Also, to #2; Social Security doesnt recheck until 5 years on disabilities, what makes DMV so special and what a wonderful way to clog the system even more.
now all they have to do is stop everyone from parking on the corners and blocking the handicap curb ramps!!!
#1, I have noticed a few shopping centers in our area that provide parking spots for “Pregnant Women and Woman with Infants” .
if we eliminate the fraud will we get to remove some handicap spots? how about if there’s absolutely no spots and about 10 empty handicap spots shouldn’t you be allowed to park there!
I have a disability that is not always noticeable and also doesn’t hurt me every day. There are days I can jump out of the car and run into the store and there are days my husband has to lift me out of the car. You can’t judge some one with a disability just by looking at them.
Don’t Judge.