Committee hears bill to extend disabled parking privileges to veterans who use service animals

The House Transportation Committee held public testimony Jan. 23 on House Bill 1371, which would expand eligibility for special parking privileges to veterans who have a qualifying discharge, a 70% or higher disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the U.S. armed forces, and who use a service animal as defined under federal law.

Jennifer Harris, staff to the committee, described eligibility and documentation requirements: a disability must be determined by a licensed physician, licensed advanced registered nurse practitioner, or licensed physician’s assistant, and the health‑care practitioner must provide signed written authorization on tamper‑resistant paper or electronically. Harris said a technical amendment in the bill would clarify eligibility as “70% or higher” and move…