Background:

Current Law.

Individuals who meet one of the following criteria may apply for special parking privileges: (1) cannot walk 200 feet without stopping or resting; (2) is severely limited in ability to walk due to arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition; (3) has such a severe disability that the person cannot walk without the use of or assistance from a brace, cane, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device; (4) uses portable oxygen; (5) is restricted by lung disease to an extent that forced expiratory respiratory volume, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter per second or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 millimeters of mercury (mmHg); (6) impairment by cardiovascular disease or cardiac condition to the extent that the person's functional limitations are classified as Class III or IV under standards accepted by the American Heart Association; (7) has a disability resulting from an acute sensitivity to automobile emissions that limits or impairs the ability to walk and the disability is comparable to other qualifying disabilities; (8) has limited mobility and no vision or whose vision with corrective lenses is so limited that the person requires alternative methods or skills to efficiently do things ordinarily done by sight by those with standard vision; (9) has an eye condition of a progressive nature that may lead to blindness; or (10) is restricted by a form of porphyria to the extent that the applicant would significantly benefit from a decrease in exposure to light.

The disability must be determined by a licensed physician, a licensed advanced registered nurse practitioner, or a licensed physician's assistant. A health care practitioner with prescriptive authority, must provide a signed written authorization on tamper-resistant prescription pad or paper. A health care practitioner without prescriptive authority must provide the signed written authorization on his or her office letterhead. This authorization must be attached to an application for special parking privileges for individuals with disabilities. In addition, the application must contain the following statement immediately below the health care practitioner's signature: "A parking permit for a person with disabilities may be issued only for a medical necessity that severely affects mobility or involves acute sensitivity to light (RCW 46.19.010). An applicant or health care practitioner who knowingly provides false information on this application is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. The penalty is up to three hundred sixty-four days in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 or both. In addition, the health care practitioner may be subject to sanctions under chapter 18.130 RCW, the Uniform Disciplinary Act."

An individual with a qualifying disability that is expected to improve within 12 months may only be issued a temporary placard for a period that does not exceed 12 months. After 12 months, should the qualifying disability still be present, a new application with health care certification must be submitted. Otherwise, special parking privileges for individuals with disabilities must be renewed at least every five years, with signed written authorization from a health care practitioner provided in the renewal application.

An individual who qualifies for special parking privileges must receive an identification card with his or her name and date of birth and the serial number of the placard issued to him or her. An individual who qualifies for permanent special parking privileges may receive one of the following: (a) up to two parking placards; (b) one set of special license plates for persons with disabilities, if the individual with the disability is the registered owner of the vehicle; (c) one parking placard and one set of special license plates for persons with disabilities, if the individual with the disability is the registered owner of the vehicle; or (d) one special parking year tab for persons with disabilities and one parking placard. Parking placards and identification cards must be issued free of charge. The parking placard and identification card must be returned to the Department of Licensing (DOL) immediately upon the placard holder's death.

Knowingly providing false information in conjunction with the application for special parking privileges for individuals with disabilities is a gross misdemeanor.

Recent Changes to Law.

Prior to 2015, the law governing eligibility for special parking privileges did not include the requirement that an application include a signed written authorization by a health care practitioner on tamper-resistant prescription pad or paper or on office letterhead, and the statement on the application that required a health care practitioner's signature did not note the possibility of sanctions related to professional licensure. Temporary placards were permitted to remain in effect for up to six months rather than up to 12 months.