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.