A bill aimed at stopping abuse of special-parking placards and licenses for people with
disabilities has been signed into state law. The bipartisan measure cleared both chambers unanimously after it was introduced earlier this year by Rep. Sam Hunt. A Department of Licensing report submitted to the Legislature last year included recommendations that went into the crafting of this year’s legislation.
Key terms of the new law increase the validity of temporary parking permits from six months to a year. Also, people who improperly display a placard or license could face a parking infraction — potentially as much as a $450 fine. Improper display of a placard or special license includes failure to show this authorization so that a police officer can easily see the serial number and an expiration date from a distance of 10 feet. It’s now a misdemeanor to sell a parking placard, special-license plate, special year tab, or identification card that has been issued for a person with disabilities. Access to these special parking privileges must now be authorized on a health-care practitioner’s prescription pad or the practitioner’s office letterhead.
Stronger laws against abuse and misuse of special-parking privileges should go a long way toward providing more parking spaces for people who have genuine, legitimate rights to these privileges.