Legislation to Aid Disabled Taxicab Riders

Passes the State Assembly

February 11, 2016

MADISON – Today, the State Assembly passed SB 275. SB 275 was authored by Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) and Senator Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) to fix a loophole in state law that prohibits a taxicab from pulling into a disabled parking space to load an individual with a disability, even if it is the only accessible place for the individual to enter the cab.

“I became aware of this issue after a constituent with a disability was unable to be picked up by a taxi in a parking spot designated for disabled individuals because state law currently does not allow taxis to do so,” said Representative Lisa Subeck. “SB 275 is a simple fix to state law that will remove this barrier for individuals with disabilities who utilize taxicabs for transportation.”

SB 275 was crafted with the help of the Council on Physical Disabilities Transportation and Parking Committee, a coalition of organizations and individuals impacted by and providing advocacy around disabled transportation and parking matters. In addition to the Council on Physical Disabilities, this legislation has also received support from the Wisconsin Association of Taxicab Owners, Wisconsin Coordinated Transportation Cooperative, Specialized Medical Vehicle Association of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the National Association of Social Workers - Wisconsin Chapter.

“The Assembly’s action today is a step forward in ensuring that those with disabilities have barrier-free access to transportation options,” said Rep. Subeck.

SB 275 has now passed both the State Assembly and State Senate and will now head to the Governor.