FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1612

                                   C 74 L 88

BYHouse Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Todd, Sayan, Belcher, Valle, Crane, Winsley, Lux, B. Williams, Walk, Barnes, Leonard, Gallagher, Lewis and Ferguson)

Prescribing penalties for failure to post disabled parking signs.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

In 1976 the Washington State Building Code Council adopted minimum standards to accommodate disabled persons in new or substantially remodeled public and private facilities.  Current state law does not conform to these standards.

These minimum standards include the number of handicapped parking spaces that must be installed, and the size, design and placement of the handicapped parking signs.

According to the 1987 edition of the Barrier-Free Code issued by the council, the signs must: (1) be three to five feet off the ground, (2) display the international symbol of access, (3) be white on a blue background, and (4) contain the words "State disabled parking permit required."  The Code also uses the term "disabled" person rather than "physically disabled" person.

SUMMARY:

State law is updated to conform with the State Building Code Council's disabled parking sign specifications, with the exception that the maximum allowable height of the sign is raised from five to seven feet to provide enhanced visibility.

Failure to post a sign is a class 4 civil action punishable by a fine of $25, plus assessments ($47 total) for each required parking space.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 96   1

      Senate    49     0 (Senate amended)

      House 93   0 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1988