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Committee approves expanding who can certify handicap placards
Summary
The Senate Labor, Health & Social Services Committee voted 5-0 to pass Senate File 23, which would allow physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists and optometrists to certify temporary and permanent handicap placards to improve access in rural areas.
The Senate Labor, Health & Social Services Committee voted 5-0 to pass Senate File 23, a bill that would expand which health professionals may certify eligibility for temporary and permanent handicap placards.
Representative Daniel Clauston, who presented the bill, told the committee the measure grew out of a situation in Gillette where no medical doctor or nurse practitioner was available to sign a temporary placard after podiatric surgery, leaving the patient without timely access to parking accommodation. "In my building, we had a physician assistant, we had [a] physical therapist, but we did not have an MD or a nurse practitioner. So we had no one to write for this placard," Clauston said.
The bill would add physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists and optometrists to the existing list of providers authorized to certify both permanent and temporary handicap placards. Clauston said current Wyoming practice limits certification to advanced practice nurses, doctors of osteopathy and medical doctors and that the change aims to reduce delays and extra appointments for patients, especially in smaller communities.
Taylor Rossetti, deputy director at the Wyoming Department of Transportation (YDOT), which issues placards, told the committee the agency supported the change. "I believe that Representative Clauston did find an absolute need in the community. I think this bill addresses it well," Rossetti said, adding the committee was "very thoughtful about the people that they added to that list." He said the added professions generally have direct knowledge of a person's ability to ambulate.
Carrie Klein of the Wyoming Optometric Association also voiced support, saying optometrists in rural areas "are happy to be included in the bill and help as they can." Committee members asked whether national standards restrict which professionals may certify placards; Clauston answered there are no national requirements and states set those rules, noting 37 states allow physical therapists to certify placards.
After brief discussion and no amendments, Senator Hutchins moved the bill and Senator Crum seconded. The committee conducted a roll-call vote: Senators Crum, Hutchins, Scott, Steinmetz and Chairman Barlow voted aye. The chair announced, "That is 5 ayes," and the bill was reported out of committee.
Committee materials included the draft language and the transportation eligibility qualifications distributed to members. Representative Clauston said the interim committee had given the proposal unanimous support while drafting the bill.
Senator Crum volunteered to carry the bill when it is scheduled for further consideration by the full Senate. The committee chair noted two other bills referred to the committee for future hearings, including a music therapist bill and a bill on reporting immunity for drug overdoses, and said remote testimony would likely be used for some upcoming hearings because of road conditions in parts of the state.
Votes at a glance Senate File 23 — Passed out of committee (motion to pass; moved by Senator Hutchins; seconded by Senator Crum). Committee vote: 5-0 (Crump/Crumb/Crum listed in roll call as voting aye; recorded members voting aye: Senator Crum, Senator Hutchins, Senator Scott, Senator Steinmetz, Chairman Barlow).
