Authorizing licensed occupational therapists, licensed physical therapists, and certain medical professionals licensed in other states to provide a statement for purposes of persons with disabilities special registration plates or parking permits, and making penalties applicable

Under current law, persons with disabilities may submit an application to the department of transportation (DOT) for persons with disabilities special registration plates and parking permits. An application must provide a statement from an Iowa licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or chiropractor (both plates and permits), or a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or chiropractor licensed to practice in a contiguous state (permits only), written on the medical professional’s stationery, stating the nature of the person’s disability and such additional information as required by DOT rules. A person with a disability may apply for a temporary removable windshield placard valid for up to six months or a standard removable windshield placard valid for five years, as determined by the statement. If a person applies for a temporary persons with disabilities parking permit, the statement must specify the period during which the person is expected to be disabled and the period for which the permit should be issued, so long as the period does not exceed six months. This bill authorizes an occupational therapist licensed under Code chapter 148B and a physical therapist licensed under Code chapter 148A to provide the required statement for both plates and permits. The bill authorizes a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, chiropractor, occupational therapist, and physical therapist licensed in another state, rather than a contiguous state, to provide the required statement for permits. A medical professional who provides false information on the statement with the intent to defraud is subject to a civil penalty of $300.