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New Texas law draws controversy over disabled veterans' license plates

Per SB 792, disabled veterans will be required to hang their ADA placards, in addition to their disabled license plates, in order to park in a disabled spot.

KILLEEN, Texas — The video above was posted in June 2021.

A Facebook post by the Killeen Police Department is drawing controversy over disabled veterans' license plates.

On Tuesday morning, the department posted its weekly "Traffic Tip Tuesday" reminding folks about Texas Senate Bill 792, with most sections of the bill taking effect on Jan. 1, 2022. 

"On that date, anyone parking in a disabled parking space must have a license plate or a disabled parking placard that features the International Symbol of Access (ISA)," said Adam Shaivitz, the interim director of the Texas DMV, in a email to 6 News. 

Shaivitz said that currently, disabled veteran license plates do not feature the ISA and all Texans with these plates are permitted to use disabled parking. 

"Texans with disabled veteran plates wanting to use disabled parking spaces beginning in 2022 may apply for a disabled parking placard or for a new disabled veteran license plate with the ISA if the veteran meets the eligibility requirements for an ISA," he said.

Additionally, on Dec. 1, the DMV will also require every recipient who applies for an ADA placard to get a doctor's signature on the application rather than the DMV automatically issuing one, the post said.

Click here to read SB 792.

Click here to see the DMV description of SB 792 changes taking effect in 2022.

Just three hours after Killeen Police shared this tip, the Facebook post received hundreds of comments and reactions.

Those against the bill argued that it makes things harder for veterans.

Story continues below.

TRAFFIC TIP TUESDAY Texas Senate Bill 792 takes effect September 1, 2021. It is relating to specialty license plates and parking placards for vehicles of certain disabled veterans. #traffictiptuesday

Posted by Killeen Police Department on Tuesday, August 24, 2021

TRAFFIC TIP TUESDAY Texas Senate Bill 792 takes effect September 1, 2021. It is relating to specialty license plates and parking placards for vehicles of certain disabled veterans. #traffictiptuesday

Posted by Killeen Police Department on Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Then there were others who said the bill was of how some veterans "don't look" disabled.

Story continues below.

TRAFFIC TIP TUESDAY Texas Senate Bill 792 takes effect September 1, 2021. It is relating to specialty license plates and parking placards for vehicles of certain disabled veterans. #traffictiptuesday

Posted by Killeen Police Department on Tuesday, August 24, 2021

TRAFFIC TIP TUESDAY Texas Senate Bill 792 takes effect September 1, 2021. It is relating to specialty license plates and parking placards for vehicles of certain disabled veterans. #traffictiptuesday

Posted by Killeen Police Department on Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Some Facebook comments also thought the bill will prevent people who don't "really" need it from getting it.

Story continues below.

TRAFFIC TIP TUESDAY Texas Senate Bill 792 takes effect September 1, 2021. It is relating to specialty license plates and parking placards for vehicles of certain disabled veterans. #traffictiptuesday

Posted by Killeen Police Department on Tuesday, August 24, 2021

TRAFFIC TIP TUESDAY Texas Senate Bill 792 takes effect September 1, 2021. It is relating to specialty license plates and parking placards for vehicles of certain disabled veterans. #traffictiptuesday

Posted by Killeen Police Department on Tuesday, August 24, 2021

What do you think of SB 792? Join the conversation on our Facebook page.

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