Malik's Disabled-Drivers Placard Legislation Heads to Governor

Legislation sponsored by a Barrington representative to allow doctors to issue temporary disabled-drivers placards to patients is heading to the governor for his signature.

The legislation -- House bill 2013-H 5119Aaa -- was sponsored by Rep. Jan Malik (D-Dist 67, Barrington, Warren). It cleared the House of Representatives and Senate last week.

Under the current law, eligible disabled drivers who apply for a disability placard face a waiting period before receiving it from the Division of Motor Vehicles. The new legislation gives a person applying for a permanent disability placard a preliminary placard immediately from a physician who determines that a patient’s condition merits it.

The preliminary placard would be effective for 21 days and would bridge the time between the application and issuance of the permanent disability plate by the DMV.

The temporary placard, as prescribed in the legislation, will be an orange placard with a white international symbol of access, bearing the expiration date. It is to be displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle. There is to be no fee for obtaining or using the placard.

The Senate bill, 2013-S 0238A, was sponsored by Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick).

The bills have been transmitted to the governor for his action. If enacted into law, the issuance of the temporary placards will begin Jan. 1.