Senate passes service permits bill for disabled

Scott Reeder

Thursday, April 1, 1999 | 10:34 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- One hurdle facing disabled people is having to stand in long lines at government offices.

But legislation passed by the Senate Wednesday could do something about it.

Senators approved 21-0 Senate Bill 35, which would allow people with certain disabilities to cut ahead in lines at state offices, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles or at polling places.

The bill sponsored by Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, calls for issuing "expedited service permits" to people who are impaired or have trouble walking. The permit would be issued by the DMV at the same time as a handicapped license plate if the applicant submits a doctor's letter certifying the disability.

At first, only applicants with driver's licenses would be eligible for the new permit.

"I know that is a problem," Titus said. "But we have to start somewhere. ... It just made so much sense I decided we had to do it."

Titus noted that the special permit would be legally binding only at state facilities, not local government offices.