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SB 1684

Motor Vehicles - As introduced, defines a "disabled driver" to also include a person who is in the second or third trimester of a pregnancy or who has a pregnancy certified to be high risk by the person's physician for purposes of eligibility for a disabled driver placard. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 21.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Tennessee law now grants disabled parking placards to pregnant women in second/third trimester or with physician-certified high-risk pregnancies, expanding accessibility accommodations.

Pub. Ch. 827
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Bill Summary · SB 1684

Legislative bill overview

SB 1684 expands Tennessee's definition of "disabled driver" to include pregnant individuals in their second or third trimester, as well as those with physician-certified high-risk pregnancies. This expansion makes these individuals eligible for disabled parking placards under state motor vehicle law.

Why is this important

Pregnant individuals, particularly those in late pregnancy or with high-risk conditions, may experience mobility limitations, fatigue, or medical complications that make parking accessibility meaningful. The change recognizes pregnancy-related physical challenges and could reduce falls, overexertion, or medical complications by providing convenient parking access during a temporary but medically significant period.

Potential points of contention

  • Placard abuse and fraud: Expanded eligibility increases risk of misuse, requiring robust verification mechanisms to prevent non-pregnant individuals from obtaining placards through false claims or documentation fraud
  • Parking space scarcity: High-risk or late-pregnancy individuals competing for limited accessible spaces could reduce availability for people with permanent disabilities, raising equity concerns about who "most needs" reserved parking
  • Duration and oversight: The bill doesn't clearly specify how long placards remain valid post-pregnancy or how medical certification requirements are enforced, creating potential administrative ambiguity
  • Definitional precision: "High-risk pregnancy" lacks a standardized definition, potentially leading to inconsistent application across different physicians' certifications

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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