BILL REQ. #:  H-0367.2 

Read first time 01/14/09.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to providing notification stickers to drivers with certain disabilities or impairments; adding a new section to chapter 46.16 RCW; creating a new section; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds and declares that it is the policy of the state of Washington to encourage the safe use of the roads by all citizens. In furtherance of this policy and in order to reduce problematic encounters and interactions between persons with disabilities and medical and law enforcement personnel, the legislature further finds and declares that the department of licensing shall develop a voluntary program whereby interested individuals may obtain a notification sticker for placement on their vehicle.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The director shall grant a notification sticker to any person who applies and has a disability or impairment that may affect interactions with medical and law enforcement personnel.
     (2) A person who applies for a notification sticker is entitled, upon payment of the applicable fee as determined by the department, to receive from the department a yellow sticker bearing the international symbol of access and the words "Not a Parking Permit." The department shall design the sticker to be displayed on the upper left-hand corner of the driver's side front windshield of a vehicle or on the vehicle's rear license plate, as determined by the department.
     (3) An additional fee shall be charged for the issuance of the notification sticker. The additional fee must be sufficient to cover the costs associated with the notification sticker program and is in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee and any other fees and taxes required to be paid upon registration of a motor vehicle.
     (4) It is a traffic infraction with a monetary penalty of two hundred fifty dollars for any person to willfully obtain a notification sticker issued under this section in a manner other than that established under this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act takes effect January 1, 2010.