A bill that passed the Arizona House last month would prohibit people with disabilities from using van accessible parking spaces, even if they have a special license plate or placard. House Bill 2408 faced opposition in the Senate.
Opponents said the measure would create a two-tiered system within the disability community. Patricia Linn Fuentes, who uses a cane, was at Tuesday’s Senate hearing.
"The legislation has been formulated in a way that's going to make life harder for up to 90 percent of the mobility-disabled population, or more," Linn Fuentes said.
Republican Noel Campbell crafted the measure after being contacted by a double amputee who could not use a van accessible space because it was already occupied.
Dozens of people signed in against the measure at the hearing.
That led the chair of the Senate committee on transportation and infrastructure to delay the vote for at least a week.