HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2417

                       As Passed House

                      February 17, 1992

Title:  An act relating to the use of disabled parking spaces by boarding homes.

Brief Description:  Allowing the department of licensing to issue special disabled parking permits and license plates to boarding homes.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives R. Fisher, Prentice, Bowman and Carlson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, January 30, 1992, DP;

Passed House, February 17, 1992, 93-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 25 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; R. Meyers, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Brough; Cantwell; Cooper; G. Fisher; Forner; Haugen; Heavey; Horn; P. Johnson; Jones; Kremen; Mitchell; Nelson; Orr; Prentice; Prince; Schmidt; Wilson; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786-7309).

Background:  Special parking privileges are extended not only to the mobility impaired, but also to organizations such as licensed nursing homes, senior centers, public transportation agencies and private non-profit agencies that regularly transport disabled persons.  A qualifying organization receives a special parking permit from the Department of Licensing (DOL) for each vehicle it operates.  Organizations operating vehicles under the special disabled parking permit are responsible for any penalties imposed for improper use of the permit.

A licensed boarding home provides board and home care to three or more persons (1) over 65 years old or (2) under 65 years old whose infirmity requires home care.

Summary of Bill:  Licensed boarding homes are added to the list of organizations that qualify for the special disabled parking privilege administered by the Department of Licensing.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The special parking privilege is currently extended to similar organizations such as nursing homes and  senior citizen centers providing transportation for the mobility impaired.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Scott Sigmon, Washington Health Care Association; and Susan Scherr, Olympics West Retirement Inn.