HBA-MSH H.B. 1714 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1714
By: Thompson
Transportation
3/7/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, a person applying for a disabled parking placard must
provide a statement from a licensed physician certifying that the person
has a mobility problem that substantially impairs the person's ability to
walk.  Podiatrists are not licensed as physicians,  but by nature of the
profession, podiatrists are often in a position to evaluate a person's
ability to walk.  House Bill 1714 allows a statement by a podiatrist to be
used as proof of a mobility problem when applying for a disabled parking
placard. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1714 amends the Transportation Code to authorize an individual
with a mobility problem caused by a disorder of the foot who is applying
for a disabled parking placard, or anyone applying  on such an individual's
behalf, to provide a notarized written statement or written prescription
from a licensed podiatrist to certify and provide acceptable evidence of a
mobility problem. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.