SENATE SENIOR CITIZENS, VETERANS' AFFAIRS AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 678

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 8, 1997

      The Senate Senior Citizens, Veterans' Affairs and Human Services Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill 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.