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Committee approves expanding professionals who may certify disability parking placards
Summary
The House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee voted to expand which medical professionals may certify temporary and permanent disability parking placards, adding physician assistants, physical and occupational therapists, podiatrists and optometrists. The bill passed committee on a roll call vote and will be carried to the full House.
The Labor, Health & Social Services Committee on Oct. 29 advanced Senate File 23, a bill that expands which licensed medical professionals can certify eligibility for temporary and permanent disability (handicap) parking placards.
Representative Clauston, presenting the bill on behalf of the interim joint committee, said Wyoming currently limits certification to MDs, DOs and advanced nurse practitioners and that the proposed change “extends the number of medical professionals that can write for these temporary and permanent handicap placards for your vehicle.” She said the list in the bill adds “physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist, podiatrist, and optometrist.”
The bill’s sponsor said the change responds to practical problems that occurred when other clinicians who treated patients — for example after foot surgery — could not complete placard paperwork: “Friday afternoon, we had to run down an MD who was willing to fill out this form,” Clauston said, describing an incident that prompted the change. She said the statutory eligibility criteria (inability to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest; need for an assistive device; certain cardiac, pulmonary, visual or hearing impairments) remain the basis for qualification.
Misty Zimmerman, program manager for Wyoming Department of Transportation Driver Services, testified that the agency issues the placards and “are comfortable with where the additions are.” Carrie Klein of the Wyoming Optometric Association said ophthalmologists are already covered as physicians and thanked the committee for adding optometrists, noting that vision conditions can limit mobility and that “the placard goes with the patient, not necessarily the driver.”
Committee members raised concerns about misuse. Representative McCann said he has been signing some certifications and urged providers to hold themselves accountable, while Clauston noted a statutory $1,000 fine for providers who improperly certify a placard.
Vice Chair Otman moved the bill out of committee; Representative McCann seconded. The committee approved Senate File 23 on a roll call vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays, 2 excused. A volunteer offered to carry the bill to the House floor.
The bill now awaits floor action. The committee record shows agency support from WYDOT and testimony from the Wyoming Optometric Association; no public opposition was recorded in committee.
