Committee approves bill letting physical therapists certify disability plates and placards

The Committee on House Health and Human Services voted to pass House Bill 2562, a measure that would add physical therapists to the list of providers who may certify that an individual meets statutory criteria for a disability license plate or a permanent or temporary parking placard.

Danica Short, the reviser who summarized the bill, said HB 2562 amends KSA 8‑1125 to permit a physical therapist to provide the required statement demonstrating satisfactory proof of disability. The reviser said the bill would take effect July 1, 2026, after publication in the statute book.

Jennifer Caswell, legislative chair of the American Physical Therapy Association Kansas chapter, told the committee that physical therapists “evaluate gait, strength, range of motion” and routinely assess the mobility criteria the statute uses. Caswell said 18 states already permit physical therapists to certify placards and that “there is no evidence of increased fraud or misuse in what we’re currently seeing.” She said allowing PTs to certify would reduce delays for patients who struggle to get timely physician appointments.

Members asked about oversight and safeguards. Representative Droge raised concerns about misuse when a non‑disabled family member drives a vehicle displaying a placard; Caswell and other witnesses noted that certification requires meeting at least one statutory mobility criterion and that fraudulent certification can carry professional sanctions. The reviser later noted committee staff had located statutory provisions that can apply when a certification is made fraudulently.

Committee members also discussed practical details: temporary placards commonly issue for six months and can be renewed; an identification card must be carried by the person with a disability while using the placard. Representative McDonald described both personal experience using temporary and permanent credentials.

Representative Steens moved and Representative Ruiz seconded that the committee pass HB 2562 favorably; the Chair called for a voice vote and members responded in the affirmative. The motion passed and HB 2562 was reported out of committee favorably. The committee indicated it would consider amendments during subsequent work sessions.

The bill’s effective date is specified in the reviser’s summary as July 1, 2026, and proponents emphasized access and reduced administrative delays as the primary policy benefits. No roll‑call vote was recorded during the committee action; final passage was by voice vote.