Connecticut 2024 Regular Session Status: In Committee 6 R cosponsors

SB 279 — AN ACT CONCERNING CERTIFICATION FOR REMOVABLE WINDSHIELD PLACARDS FOR PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ACCESSIBLE PARKING ADVISORY COUNCIL.

Last action — FILE NO. 295

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

204 added · 103 removed

204 line(s) added, 103 removed.

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General Assembly Raised Bill No.
Senate General Assembly File No.
279 February Session, 2024 LCO No.
295 February Session, 2024 Substitute Senate Bill No.
2118 Referred to Committee on TRANSPORTATION Introduced by:
279 Senate, April 8, 2024 The Committee on Transportation reported through SEN.
(TRA) AN ACT CONCERNING CERTIFICATION FOR REMOVABLE WINDSHIELD PLACARDS FOR PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ACCESSIBLE PARKING ADVISORY COUNCIL.
COHEN of the 12th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING CERTIFICATION FOR REMOVABLE WINDSHIELD PLACARDS FOR PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ACCESSIBLE PARKING ADVISORY COUNCIL.
and (5) any organization which meets criteria established by the commissioner and which certifies to the commissioner's satisfaction that the vehicle for which a placard is requested is primarily used to transport persons who are blind or LCO No.
and (5) any organization which meets criteria established by the commissioner and which certifies to the sSB279 / File No.
2118 1 of 5 Raised Bill No.279 persons with disabilities.
295 1 sSB279 File No.
295 commissioner's satisfaction that the vehicle for which a placard is requested is primarily used to transport persons who are blind or persons with disabilities.
(A) Certification by [a licensed physician, a] (i) the applicant's treating physician, licensed pursuant to chapter 370, physician assistant, [an] licensed pursuant to chapter 370 or advanced practice registered nurse, licensed [in accordance with the provisions of chapter 378, or] pursuant to chapter 378, (ii) a person who holds a similar license and is participating in the same group practice, as defined in section 19a-486i, as such treating physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse, or (iii) a member of the driver training unit for persons with disabilities established pursuant to section 14-11b, that the applicant meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR Section 1235.2;
(A) Certification by a licensed physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, licensed in accordance withtheprovisionsofchapter 378,or amember ofthedriver training unit for persons with disabilities established pursuant to section 14-11b, that the applicant meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR [Section] 1235.2, as amended from time to time;
or (B) certification by a psychiatrist who is employed by, or under contract with, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that the applicant (i) is a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, who has post-traumatic stress disorder certified as service-connected by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and (ii) meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR Section 1235.2.
or (B) certification byapsychiatristwhoisemployedby,orunder contractwith,theUnited States Department of Veterans Affairs that the applicant (i) is a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, who has post-traumatic stress disorder certified as service-connected by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and (ii) meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR [Section] 1235.2, as amended from time to time.
In the case of persons who are blind, the application or renewal application shall include certification of legal blindness made by the Department of Aging and Disability Services, an LCO No.
In the case of persons who are blind, the application or renewal application shall include certification of legal blindness made by the Department of Aging and Disability Services, an ophthalmologist or an optometrist.
2118 2 of 5 Raised Bill No.279 ophthalmologist or an optometrist.
Any certification issued by a health care professional, as defined in section 2 of this act, pursuant to this section shall be based upon such sSB279 / File No.
Any person who makes a certification required by this subsection shall sign the application or renewalapplicationunderpenaltyoffalsestatementpursuanttosection 53a-157b.
295 2 sSB279 File No.
The commissioner, in said commissioner's discretion, may accept the discharge papers of a disabled veteran, as defined in section 14-254, inlieuofsuchcertification.The Commissioner ofMotor Vehicles may require additional certification at the time of the original application or at any time thereafter.
295 person's professional opinion after having completed a medically reasonable assessment of the applicant's medical history and current medical condition made in the course of a bona fide health care professional-patient relationship.
If aperson who has been requested to submit additional certification fails to do so within thirty days of the request, or if such additional certification is deemed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to be unfavorable to the applicant, the commissioner may refuse to issue or, if already issued, suspend or revoke such special license plate or placard.
Any person who makes a certification required by this subsection shall sign the application or renewal application under penalty of false statement pursuant to section 53a- 157b.
The commissioner shall not issue more than one placard per applicant, except the commissioner shall issue one placard to each applicant who is a parent or guardian of any person who is blind or any person with disabilities, provided no more than two such placards shall be issued on behalf of such person.
The commissioner, in said commissioner's discretion, may accept the discharge papers of a disabled veteran, as defined in section 14-254, in lieu of such certification.
The fee for the issuance of a temporary removable windshield placard shall be five dollars.
The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require additional certification at the time of the original application or at any time thereafter.
Any person whose application has been denied or whose special license plate or placard has been suspended or revoked shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.
If a person who has been requested to submit additional certification fails to do so within thirty days of the request, or if such additional certification is deemed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to be unfavorable to the applicant, the commissioner may refuse to issue or, if already issued, suspend or revoke such special license plate or placard.
The commissioner shall not issue more thanone placard per applicant, except the commissioner shall issue one placard to each applicant who is a parent or guardianof any person who is blind or any person with disabilities, provided no more than two such placards shall be issued on behalf of such person.
The fee for the issuance of a temporary removable windshield placard shall be five dollars.Anypersonwhoseapplicationhasbeendeniedorwhosespecial licenseplateorplacardhasbeensuspendedorrevokedshallbeafforded an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2024) (a) As used in this section, (1) "health care professional" means a licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse licensed in accordance with the provisions of chapter 378 of the general statutes, psychiatrist who is employed by, or under contract with, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, ophthalmologist or optometrist, (2) "person"hasthesame meaningasprovidedinsection14-1ofthegeneral statutes, and (3) "removable windshield placard" has the same meaning as provided in section 14-253a of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
sSB279 / File No.
295 3 sSB279 File No.
295 (b) No health care professional shall charge a fee for the provision of services to an applicant for a removable windshield placard that is contingent on such health care professional certifying that such applicant meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR 1235.2, as amended from time to time.
(c) No health care professional shall enter into any written or oral agreement or understanding with a person who utilizes the services of such health care professional that makes or has the effect of making the amount of the health care professional's commissions, fees or charges contingent uponthehealthcare professionalcertifying anapplicationor renewal application for a removable windshield placard that an applicant meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR 1235.2, as amended from time to time.
(d) Any person who violates any provision of this section may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars.
The Attorney General, upon complaint of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, shall institute a civil action to recover such penalty in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford.
Sec.
3.
(b) The advisory council shall consist of (1) the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or the commissioner's designee, (2) the Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services or the commissioner's designee, (3) two members appointed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, who are licensedphysicians,physicianassistantsoradvancedpracticeregistered nurses who certify applications for removable windshield placards while in the course of employment, (4) one member appointed by the Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services who represents an organization that advocates on behalf of persons with physical LCO No.
(b) The advisory council shall consist of (1) the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or the commissioner's designee, (2) the Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services or the commissioner's designee, (3) two members appointed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, who are licensedphysicians,physicianassistantsoradvancedpracticeregistered nurses who certify applications for removable windshield placards while in the course of employment, (4) one member appointed by the Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services who represents an organization that advocates on behalf of persons with physical disabilities, (5) one appointed by the House chairperson of the joint sSB279 / File No.
2118 3 of 5 Raised Bill No.279 disabilities, (5) one appointed by the House chairperson of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, [who is a municipality planner,] (6) oneappointedbytheSenate chairpersonofthe joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, who uses accessible parking or advocates on behalf of such users, [of accessible parking,] (7) one appointed by the House ranking member of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, who uses accessible parking or advocates on behalf of such users, [of accessible parking,] (8) one appointed by the Senate ranking member of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, who is a sworn member of a municipal police department, and (9) and such other members as the advisory council may prescribe.
295 4 sSB279 File No.
295 standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, [who is a municipality planner,] (6) oneappointedbytheSenate chairpersonofthe joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, who uses accessible parking or advocates on behalf of such users, [of accessible parking,] (7) one appointed by the House ranking member of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, who uses accessible parking or advocates on behalf of such users, [of accessible parking,] (8) one appointed by the Senate ranking member of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, who is a sworn member of a municipal police department, and (9) and such other members as the advisory council may prescribe.
2 from passage 14-253c(b) Statement of Purpose:
2 October 1, 2024 New section Sec.
To (1) permit a licensed professional in the same group practice as the applicant's treating physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse to certify that the applicant meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, and (2) amend the membership of the Accessible Parking Advisory Council.
3 from passage 14-253c(b) Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
LCO No.
In Section 1(b) and Section 2, references to "medical professional" were changed to "health care professional" for consistency and in Section 1(b) "as defined in section 2 of this act" was added for clarity.
2118 4 of 5 Raised Bill No.
TRA Joint Favorable Subst.
279 [Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets.
sSB279 / File No.
Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.] LCO No.
295 5 sSB279 File No.
2118 5 of 5
295 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
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Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 25 $ FY 26 $ Resources of the General Fund GF - Potential See Below See Below Revenue Gain Note:
GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill prohibits contingent fees related to accessible placard certifications and imposes a $1,000 penalty for violations, resulting in a potential revenue gain from fines.
The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of violations.
sSB279 / File No.
295 6 sSB279 File No.
295 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 279 AN ACT CONCERNING CERTIFICATION FOR REMOVABLE WINDSHIELD PLACARDS FOR PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ACCESSIBLE PARKING ADVISORY COUNCIL.
This bill makes changes to laws related to health care professionals’ certification of eligibility for an accessible parking removable windshield placard.
By law, applicants for windshield placards must submit a certification from specified health care professionals (or certain government officials), signed under penalty of false statement, stating that the applicant has a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, as defined under federal regulations, or is blind.
The bill requires health care professionals who certify placard applicants’ eligibility to do so based on their professional opinion after completing a medically reasonable assessment of the applicant’s medical history and current medical condition made in the course of a bona fide health care professional-patient relationship.
It also prohibits health care professionals from making fees they charge to placard applicants contingent on certifying the applicant’s eligibility and imposes a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for violations.
Under the bill, a “health care professional” is a licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, psychiatrist employedbyorundercontractwiththeDepartmentofVeteransAffairs, ophthalmologist, or optometrist.
This definition corresponds to the health care professionals who are already authorized to certify eligibility for placards under existing law.
The bill also eliminates the requirement that the Transportation Committee House chairperson’s appointment to the Accessible Parking sSB279 / File No.
295 7 sSB279 File No.
295 Advisory Council be a municipal planner.
Lastly, the bill makes technical changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
October 1, 2024, except that the advisory council provision is effective upon passage.
PENALTY FOR CONTINGENT FEES The bill prohibits health care professionals from charging a fee for services provided to a placard applicant that is contingent on the professional certifying the applicant as eligible for a placard.
It also prohibits healthcare professionals from entering into a written or oral agreement or understanding with a person or entity using their services that makes or effectively makes the professional’s commissions, fees, or charges contingent on certifying the applicant’s eligibility.
Under the bill, violators face a civil penalty of up to $1,000, and the attorney general, after receiving a complaint from the Department of Motor Vehicles commissioner, must institute a civil action to recover the penalty in the Superior Court for the Hartford judicial district.
COMMITTEE ACTION Transportation Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 35 Nay 0 (03/20/2024) sSB279 / File No.
295 8
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Action History

  1. FILE NO. 295

  2. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 206

  3. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  4. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  5. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/08/24

  6. FILED WITH LCO

  7. Joint Favorable Substitute

  8. PUBLIC HEARING 0304

  9. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Transportation

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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7 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 180 not signed on

Sponsors (7)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (180)

180 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 279?
SB 279 is sponsored by Vincent J. Candelora (Republican), Nicole Klarides-Ditria (Republican), Tom Delnicki (Republican), Tami Zawistowski (Republican), Rachel Chaleski, Seth Bronko (Republican), and Mark DeCaprio (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 279?
This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 279?
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