This bill amends South Carolina’s handicapped parking laws to add certain pregnant women to the statutory definition of “handicapped” for purposes of obtaining disability parking privileges. Specifically, it includes a woman whose pregnancy is beyond the first trimester within the definition used for license plates and placards, allowing her to qualify for reserved parking spaces under the same general application process used for other qualifying conditions.
The bill also changes the placard rules for pregnant women by providing that a placard issued to a woman whose pregnancy is beyond the first trimester expires 12 months after issuance. The rest of the placard framework remains in place, including physician certification, issuance through the Department of Motor Vehicles, a one-dollar fee, and the requirement that the placard be used only when the qualifying individual is being driven or transported in the vehicle.
Impact
The bill would amend Sections 56-3-1910 and 56-3-1960 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, expanding eligibility for handicapped parking placards and license plate-related benefits to include pregnant women beyond the first trimester. It would create a new statutory basis for these individuals to be treated as “handicapped” for parking purposes and would establish a specific 12-month expiration period for placards issued on that basis. The Department of Motor Vehicles would continue to administer the program under existing procedures, with physician certification still required.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the overall sentiment appears neutral to supportive in concept, with the bill framed as a practical accommodation measure. The caption and language suggest an intent to broaden access to parking accommodations for pregnant women experiencing mobility limitations. No formal opposition, amendments, or recorded vote history is provided in the materials.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the policy choice to classify pregnancy beyond the first trimester as a qualifying condition under the handicapped parking statute. Supporters would likely view this as a temporary mobility accommodation for pregnant women, while critics could argue that pregnancy is not a disability in the traditional sense and that the change expands the program beyond its original scope. Another possible issue is administrative consistency, since the bill relies on physician certification but does not otherwise create a separate pregnancy-specific placard category.
Further providing for title of the act, for findings and declaration of policy, for right to freedom from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation, for definitions, for unlawful discriminatory practices and for prohibition of certain real estate practices; providing for protection of religious exercise; and further providing for powers and duties of the commission, for educational program and for construction and exclusiveness of remedy.
Further providing for the title of the act, for findings and declaration of policy, for right to freedom from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation, for definitions, for unlawful discriminatory practices and for prohibition of certain real estate practices; providing for protection of religious exercise; and further providing for powers and duties of the commission and for construction and exclusiveness of remedy.
Further providing for the title of the act, for findings and declaration of policy, for right to freedom from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation, for definitions, for unlawful discriminatory practices and for prohibition of certain real estate practices; providing for protection of religious exercise; and further providing for powers and duties of the commission and for construction and exclusiveness of remedy.