A South Carolina lawmaker plans to introduce legislation in January that would simplify access to handicap-accessible parking for pregnant individuals. Representative Micah Caskey (R-Lexington) is drafting a bill that would allow pregnancy alone to qualify someone for a temporary accessible parking placard, removing the current requirement to prove a mobility impairment.
Under existing state law, pregnant individuals can obtain a temporary placard only if a licensed physician certifies that their pregnancy significantly impacts mobility, such as an inability to walk 100 feet without pain. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires applicants to meet specific qualifying conditions, with the impairment expected to last at least four months.
Caskey’s proposal seeks to eliminate these additional requirements, making pregnancy itself sufficient for placard approval.
While disability rights organization Able South Carolina (Able SC) supports the concept of easier access for pregnant individuals, the organization has expressed concerns. Able SC’s CEO and President worries that such changes could inadvertently negatively impact those the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was designed to protect, given existing parking challenges for people with disabilities. The organization stresses the importance of finding solutions that do not weaken federal disability law and create a “win-win” for all.
Despite these concerns, Caskey’s proposal has garnered bipartisan support from lawmakers following his announcement. The bill is still in the drafting phase, with Caskey hoping for formal introduction during the 2026 legislative session.
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