Committee rolls bill to allow temporary placards for expectant mothers after disability-access concerns

The House Transportation Committee on March 17 debated House Bill 1457, a measure to allow expectant mothers in their third trimester and those with physician-certified high-risk pregnancies temporary access to disabled parking spaces through time-limited placards. The sponsor, Representative Balso, said the change mirrors practice in other states and aims to ease mobility for late-stage pregnancies.

Several committee members and disability advocates raised concerns that adding a new placard class could worsen already-limited accessible parking supply for people with permanent or longer-term disabilities. Representative Pearson and others noted that individuals with documented mobility limitations already may qualify for temporary placards under current rules, and warned of unintended consequences for people who rely on accessible parking.

Representative Balso defended the proposal and cited the bill’s fiscal note, which estimates roughly 17,000 expectant mothers in the third trimester and 1,220 with high-risk pregnancies (about 18,000 total) compared with approximately 350,000 disabled persons who hold placards or plates; he argued the net change would be a small fraction of current demand. Members asked procedural questions about placard duration, renewal and the process for returning temporary placards at the end of the authorized period.

After discussion, the sponsor requested additional time to consider amendments. The committee agreed to roll House Bill 1457 to the special calendar to allow revisions and further stakeholder input rather than advancing it immediately.