NOW-NJ President Suzannah Porter is quoted in this article.

Parking privilege for pregnancy?

Bill would let moms to be, new moms

park in handicapped spaces

By Tom Baldwin, Gannett, Asbury Park Press June 14, 2005

TRENTON — New Jersey may grant pregnant women and new moms temporary permission to park in "handicapped" parking spots, even though lawmakers acknowledge the system is open to abuse and the National Organization for Women opposes the idea.

The Assembly Transportation Committee conducted brief debate Monday on a proposal sponsored by Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, D-Middlesex, the committee chairman, and two others, Assemblymen John F. McKeon and Mims Hackett, both D-Essex.

Asked by Assemblyman Peter J. Biondi, R-Somerset, how someone with a temporary placard could be stopped from using the privilege for years, Wisniewski said permission would last "not more than six months" and the expiration date would appear on the card.

Wisniewski later acknowledged the current system is fraught with abuses.  "Yes," the chairman said, "the system is not as tight as it should be."

Suzannah Porter, president of the New Jersey NOW chapter, doesn't like the proposal, which requires many more approvals before it could become law.  Porter said businesses on their own can reserve closer parking spaces, if they want.

"I think that calling them handicapped is not necessary," Porter said.  "Businesses can show marketing savvy as well as respect for their female customers without calling them handicapped."

Lawmakers on the committee unanimously approved the bill, and interviews showed broad support for it among legislators, who said the proposal intends to be helpful, not insensitive.

"I don't think that any of them (the sponsors) would intend it to be insensitive.  I think they may look at a woman's condition in a late pregnancy, and tugging around a newborn, and think this is being sensitive to her needs and providing her assistance," said Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-Mercer.

Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose, R-Sussex, who is pregnant, said, "I think I am going to support the bill. ... I think it's a nice gesture."

"They could probably use better language by saying "pregnant women or women with infants under 6 months,' " Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, said.

"As a former disability attorney, the word "handicapped' is really out of vogue," Assemblywoman Linda R. Greenstein, D-Middlesex, said.

"God bless them," Wisniewski said when he heard of opposition from some women.  "They do not have to avail themselves of it."

Temporary handicapped parking placards may be used in any vehicle in which the individual needing the help is a passenger.

People can obtain temporary placards from the police chief in their municipalities.  A person must complete an application, have a doctor certify the need and pay a $4 fee to the state Motor Vehicle Commission.

(Emphasis added.)

Tom Baldwin: tbaldwi@gannett.com