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Committee hears bill to allow VA'evaluated permanently disabled veterans to receive parking placards without extra physician paperwork
Summary
Senate Bill 12 would clarify that veterans who are evaluated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as permanently and totally disabled qualify for a state disability placard without submitting an additional physician certificate. The Adjutant General and veterans' advisory groups supported the measure as a simplification for veterans.
Senate Transportation heard Senate Bill 12, which would clarify eligibility for disabled veteran parking placards. The bill removes an apparent administrative barrier that had required some veterans who already received a veteran license plate based on a VA evaluation to obtain an additional physician-signed certificate to receive a placard.
Senator Denise Ricciardi introduced the bill, saying the change would correct an inconsistency and avoid forcing veterans to get duplicate medical paperwork. Major General David Michalaitis, Adjutant General and Commissioner of the Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services, told the committee the bill would allow a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evaluation that finds a veteran permanently and totally disabled to serve as sufficient documentation for both a veteran plate and a disability placard. Michalaitis said the measure streamlines state government and “we support this bill.”
Kevin Grady, representing the State Veterans Advisory Committee, also testified in support and urged passage, saying the committee favors any change that reduces paperwork for disabled veterans.
Committee members asked clarifying questions; no committee vote was taken at the hearing.
