SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – State lawmakers are directing the state auditor to assess potential fraud in the program that gives out parking permits for the disabled.
They’re concerned that too many California drivers are acquiring special parking permits that allow people to bypass parking rules.
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee approved the audit of the Department of Motor Vehicles program 12-0 Wednesday.
The request followed a KXTV Sacramento report that said about 2.5 million people or about one in nine California drivers had a disability placard.
Republican Assemblyman Eric Linder of Corona and Democratic Assemblyman Mike Gatto of Glendale requested the audit.
They say doctors often refuse to justify placards they approve to protect patients’ personal information.
Investigators will review a sample of existing placards as well as DMV protocols for preventing abuse.