Background:

Special parking privileges are provided for persons with disabilities. Qualifying disabilities include a limited ability to walk, the use of portable oxygen, impaired breathing or cardiovascular function, an acute sensitivity to automobile emissions, impaired vision, or a sensitivity to light. To establish such a disability, an applicant must receive a determination by a qualifying medical professional, such as a licensed physician. Providing false information on an application for special parking privileges is a gross misdemeanor. Organizations may also apply for special parking privileges, including public transportation authorities, assisted living facilities, private nonprofit corporations, and registered cabulance companies.

Any person who qualifies for special parking privileges must receive an identification card and may receive special parking placards, a special parking license plate, or both. Alternatively, under certain circumstances, a person may receive a temporary parking placard, valid for up to six months. These parking placards and special license plates must be displayed on the motor vehicle, entitling persons with disabilities to park in reserved spaces.

Any qualified holder of these parking placards or a special license plate may park free of charge and beyond a posted time limit in public parking areas. It is an infraction, however, for a person to park in a space reserved for persons with disabilities without displaying the proper plate or placard or to block the access isle located next to a space reserved for persons with disabilities. Any unauthorized use of a parking placard, special license plate, or identification card is also an infraction. Each of these infractions carries a total penalty of $450. It is also an infraction, carrying a penalty of $250, to illegally obtain a parking placard, special license plate, or identification card.

These parking privileges must be renewed at least every five years. Finally, parking placards and the identification card must be returned to the Department of Licensing (DOL) upon the placard holder's death.

Summary:

The application materials for special parking privileges must include a warning that an applicant or health care practitioner who knowingly provides false information is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. During the application process, a health care practitioner must provide signed authorization on a prescription pad or office letterhead. A health care practitioner must also provide signed written authorization for a holder to renew his or her special parking privileges. Additionally, the maximum period of validity for temporary parking placards is extended from six to 12 months.

Parking placards issued by the DOL must include on the front of the placard a serial number and an expiration date, both of which must be clearly visible from a distance of 10 feet. It is a traffic infraction for a person to fail to display the full face of such a placard when parked in a space reserved for persons with disabilities. This infraction carries a total penalty of $450. Additionally, it is a misdemeanor to illegally obtain or to sell a parking placard, special license plate, special year tab, or identification card. If a person is found to have violated the provisions relating to special parking for persons with disabilities, a court may order a person to surrender his or her placard, plate, tab, or card.

Finally, accessible van rental companies are added to the list of organizations that may apply for special parking privileges.

Votes on Final Passage:

House	95	1
Senate	48	0	(Senate amended)
House	98	0	(House concurred)