HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1262
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed House:
February 15, 2017
Title: An act relating to accessible parking spaces for people with disabilities.
Brief Description: Concerning accessible parking spaces for people with disabilities.
Sponsors: Representatives McBride, Dye, Peterson, McCabe, Riccelli, Gregerson, Fey, Dolan, Muri and Lovick.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Local Government: 1/24/17, 2/2/17 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/15/17, 97-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Appleton, Chair; McBride, Vice Chair; Griffey, Ranking Minority Member; Pike, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Peterson.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Taylor.
Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).
Background:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public accommodations to provide goods and services to people with disabilities on an equal basis with the rest of the general public.
The federal ADA standards establish design criteria for sites in new construction, alteration of facilities, and address access to buildings. These standards apply to places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and state and local government facilities. The ADA standards also establish requirements for accessible parking spaces and adjacent access aisles.
Accessible parking spaces for persons with a physical disability must be designated as reserved by a sign showing the symbol of accessibility. Spaces for van parking must have an additional van-accessible sign mounted below the symbol of accessibility.
Car parking spaces must be a minimum of 96 inches wide and van parking spaces must be a minimum of 132 inches wide. Both types of parking spaces must have an adjacent access aisle extending the full length of the parking space its serves, measuring a minimum of 60 inches wide and 20 feet long, and it must be marked so as to discourage parking in it. A van parking space is permitted to be a minimum of 96 inches wide provided the adjacent access aisle is a minimum of 96 inches wide. The access aisle must be parallel to the vehicle pull-up parking space and is typically used as a passenger loading zone. Two parking spaces are permitted to share a common access aisle.
State Building Code.
The State Building Code (Code) provides a set of statewide standards and requirements related to building construction. The State Building Code Council (SBCC) is responsible for maintaining and amending the Code. The SBCC consists of local government officials as well as building industry and public representatives.
Summary of Bill:
The minimum width dimensions for an access aisle located adjacent to a van parking space is increased from 60 inches to 96 inches in all cases. The access aisle must be in addition to the adjacent van parking space, however, two van parking spaces may share a common adjacent access aisle.
A sign must be erected at the head of each access aisle that prohibits parking in the access aisle. The sign may also include additional language indicating the penalty for parking in the access aisle.
The SBCC must adopt rules by January 1, 2018, to implement in the building code the access aisle width and any required access aisle markings.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect January 1, 2018.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) People often park in the access aisles where persons with wheel chairs need to get in and out of their vehicle. People with wheelchairs are often trapped either in their vehicle or out of their vehicle until the car parked in the access aisle can be moved.
The access aisles also need to be big enough to allow wheel chair ramps to be lowered and for the wheel chairs to roll down the ramp. The typical narrow access aisle does not provide enough room for a person to get a wheelchair out.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative McBride, prime sponsor; Diana Stadden, The Arc of Washington; Brian Baker; Toby Olson, Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment; and Nathan Loose.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.