A proposed Tennessee bill would allow pregnant women to use accessible parking spaces under certain medical conditions.

House Bill 1457, filed this week in Nashville, would expand eligibility for temporary disabled parking permits to include women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy, as well as those experiencing high-risk pregnancies. The measure was introduced by Gino Bulso, a Republican from Brentwood.

Under current state law, disabled parking placards are available to individuals with qualifying medical conditions that limit mobility or vision. The proposed legislation would add pregnancy-related mobility challenges to that list, allowing eligible women to park in designated accessible spaces.

Bulso said the proposal is intended to address physical limitations that can arise during pregnancy, particularly in later stages or in medically complicated cases. He stated that the bill aims to reduce strain during everyday activities by providing closer access to buildings and services.

At present, Tennessee does not include pregnancy as a qualifying condition for disabled parking permits. Only Florida and Illinois have similar laws that allow pregnant women limited access to accessible parking spaces.

If approved, the bill would be considered during the 2026 Tennessee legislative session, which is scheduled to begin on January 13.

According to information released by Bulso’s office, both temporary and permanent disabled parking placards in Tennessee require medical certification. Existing permits are issued to individuals with conditions such as difficulty walking, reliance on mobility aids, certain heart or lung conditions, severe vision impairment, or parents of permanently disabled children. Applications must include documentation from a licensed physician.