SB1346 amends Arizona’s disability placard and special plate law to add physical therapists as authorized medical professionals who may complete the medical certification required for a person to obtain a permanent or temporary disability placard or an international symbol of access special plate. The bill keeps the existing eligibility standards for disability parking privileges, including the definitions of qualifying physical limitations, and continues to allow applications from eligible individuals, qualifying organizations, and certain veterans with a 100% disability rating.
The measure also preserves the current structure for issuance, renewal, replacement, and use of placards and plates, including the rule that placards are issued at no additional charge, the ability for some applicants to receive up to three placards upon written request, and the department’s authority to issue placards to nonprofit organizations serving senior citizens. It also retains the requirement that the Department of Transportation update records and notify law enforcement when a permanent placard or plate holder is identified as deceased.
Impact
The bill makes a targeted change to A.R.S. § 28-2409 by expanding the list of professionals who can certify disability placard applications to include physical therapists. This affects the Arizona Department of Transportation’s application review process and broadens access for applicants who may be evaluated by a physical therapist rather than only by a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or hospital administrator. The bill does not change the underlying eligibility criteria for disability parking privileges, but it may make the application process more accessible for some disabled residents and organizations.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been generally well received and noncontroversial. It passed the Senate Public Safety Committee unanimously, advanced through House Transportation & Infrastructure unanimously, and cleared House Rules without opposition. Floor votes were more divided, but the bill still passed both chambers, suggesting broad support for the policy change despite some dissent at the chamber level.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the expansion of certification authority to physical therapists, which may raise questions about medical oversight, administrative consistency, or the scope of professionals allowed to certify disability status. The available vote history does not show committee opposition, and no transcript discussion is provided, so any disagreement appears limited and not centered on the core eligibility rules. The bill otherwise preserves existing placard and plate rules, so controversy seems focused on who may sign the medical certification rather than on disability parking access itself.