Legislation sponsored by Assemblywomen Carol Murphy, Angela McKnight and Patricia Egan Jones allowing for parking privileges for certain healthcare workers who render care at patient’s home residences was advanced by the Assembly on Thursday 74-0.
“Parking should not be an obstacle in the way of providing critical home healthcare services across our State,” said Murphy (D-Burlington). This is an important step to expand access to care for patients who depend on it.”
The bill (A-3683) would require the Motor Vehicle Commission to issue a placard to authorize parking privileges for home care service employees who render care at a patient’s home. The placards would be valid for one year and may be renewed annually at no cost. The commission may, however, impose a one-time fee of $50 or less on each home care agency for each placard issued.
“Our home care workers are trying to help some of the most vulnerable citizens of our state,” said McKnight (D-Hudson). “We should do what we can to allow them do their job as efficiently as possible. Parking should absolutely not be an issue.”
An individual’s placard would be property of the home care service agency and must be returned to the agency upon termination of employment.
“It is outrageous that our home care workers are potentially missing appointments because there is no available parking,” said Egan Jones (D-Camden/Gloucester). This bill will allow them to focus solely on providing the best health care possible, and not about arriving an hour early in order to find parking.”