Overview
- The provision, folded into the 54-page transportation bill SB 462, took effect July 1 and permits pregnant people to use disabled parking spaces statewide.
- Rep. Fiona McFarland, who advanced the measure, told lawmakers, “I just want to be able to park up front.”
- Disability-rights groups filed suit on behalf of Leon County resident Olivia Keller, who relies on van-accessible spaces, arguing the law violates federal disability protections and creates safety risks.
- Recent reporting conflicts on how eligibility works, with differing accounts about a required doctor’s note and a $15 fee for a placard, underscoring confusion over verification and scope.
- Editorials and advocates urge time-limited, doctor-certified permits for medically complicated pregnancies, while McFarland suggested courts or new data could inform changes.