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California legislators kill bill to give parking privileges to pregnant women
By Jim Sanders - jsanders@sacbee.com
Last Updated 6:05 am PDT Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A3
California legislators to pregnant women: No parking privileges.
Lawmakers killed a proposal Monday to qualify women for "temporarily disabled" parking placards in the final three months of pregnancy and the first two months after birth.
Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, said he hoped to provide a "transition period" for women struggling with birth-related problems.
"For that brief five-month period, let's give them some consideration," DeVore said.
Assembly Bill 1940 died in the Assembly Transportation Committee despite an amendment by DeVore to bar the placards from being used beside meters or where parking fees are charged.
Needing eight votes for passage, AB 1940 received one yes vote and one no vote. Twelve committee members took no position.
"Most women, not all women, in pregnancy should be physically active," said Shannon Smith-Crowley of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' California chapter.
The Department of Motor Vehicles said pregnant women already can obtain disabled placards if their doctors diagnose major mobility problems.
"Pregnancy is not itself a disability and, secondly, we are creating an issue for the disability community without offering a solution," said Charlotte Newhart of California NOW and the American Association of University Women.
DeVore said his bill would assist women who are not necessarily disabled but are having a particularly painful day, or have swollen feet, or have given birth and find themselves struggling to switch their newborn from a car seat to a stroller in a parking lot with cars jetting by.
"This is practical logistics," he said of AB 1940. "It goes way beyond a strict definition of medical necessity."
Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, cast the only yes vote. "I just think it does no harm to give women who need it, when they need it, the ability to do it," she said.
About the writer:
- Call Jim Sanders, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 326-5538.
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Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, said he hoped to provide a "transition period" for women struggling with birth-related problems. John Decker / Sacramento Bee file, 2005
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