ASSEMBLY COMMERCE AND MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 678

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: SEPTEMBER 16, 1996

      The Assembly Commerce and Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly, No. 678.

      A person who is physically handicapped and desires either temporary or permanent handicapped parking privileges in New Jersey must now be certified as handicapped by a physician or podiatrist who is licensed to practice either in this state or in a bordering state. This territorial limitation currently precludes the use of military physicians for such certifications who are assigned to New Jersey military bases and are permitted by the United States Army Medical Command to be licensed in any state.

      This bill would permit such physicians to certify that applicants for handicapped license plates, placards for permanent disability, and placards for temporary disabilities up to six months in duration are qualified for such parking privileges.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 1996 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.