HP0661, LD 937, item 1, An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Disability Parking Spaces

An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Disability Parking Spaces

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §521, sub-§9-A, as amended by PL 2005, c. 528, §1, is further amended to read:

9-A. Enforcement of disability parking restrictions. A law enforcement officer may enforce disability parking restrictions. The State Police shall enforce disability parking restrictions at service facilities established on the Maine Turnpike and on the interstate highway system in the State. A person commits a traffic infraction if that person parks in a parking space designated and clearly marked for persons with physical disabilities and has not been issued or is not transporting a person who has been issued a disability registration plate or a removable windshield placard pursuant to this section or section 523 or a disability registration plate or placard issued by another state. A person commits a traffic infraction if that person parks in an access aisle, regardless of whether the person has been issued a disability registration plate or removable placard. A parking space designated and clearly marked for persons with physical disabilities that is marked as van-accessible with an access aisle may be used only by a van or a vehicle that accommodates a side-loading wheelchair lift or ramp. A person commits a traffic infraction if that person parks in a van-accessible parking space and that person's vehicle is not adapted for use of a van-accessible parking space, regardless of whether the person has been issued a disability registration plate or removable placard. Notwithstanding section 2604, a person who violates this subsection is subject to a fine of not less than $200 $300 and not more than $500 $600.

Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §521, sub-§9-B, ¶E, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 528, §2, is amended to read:

E. Notwithstanding section 2604, a person who violates this subsection is subject to a fine of not less than $200 $300 and not more than $500 $600.

Sec. 3. Rules. The Secretary of State shall by rule design a sign to indicate that a parking space is designated for use of van-accessible vehicles for persons with physical disabilities and to distinguish such a sign from other signs for disability parking. The sign designating a space as van-accessible must be outlined in red. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in the Maine Revised Statute, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

summary

This bill makes van-accessible handicapped parking spaces with an access aisle that are labeled as van-accessible available only to vans or vehicles adapted for use of a van-accessible parking space. It also increases the penalty range for violations of parking in access aisles from $200 to $500 to $300 to $600.

HP0661 LD 937	Session - 126th Maine Legislature		LR 1214 Item 1
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