Revision: June 4, 2025, 3:56 p.m.
Sen. Abbas, Dist 22
May 28, 2025
2025-2526s
06/05
Floor Amendment to HB 612-FN
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT enabling the division of motor vehicles to create a temporary traditional driver's license for youth operators about to turn 21, and relative to accessible parking permit verification and fraud prevention.
Amend the bill by replacing all after section 1 with the following:
2 Parking Place; Walking Disability; Fines. Amend RSA 265:69, I(j)-(m) to read as follows:
(j) In any parking place, whether on public or private property, specially designated for a person with a walking disability by means of a sign as required by RSA 265:73-a stating that the space is reserved for a person with a walking disability or displaying the international accessibility symbol, unless that person has a special plate or placard issued or recognized pursuant to RSA 261:86 or RSA 261:88, and the person who qualifies for the plate or placard is being transported to or from the parking place. Notwithstanding the provisions of title LXII or any other provision of law, a person who violates the provisions of this subparagraph, except if subject to RSA 265:74, II, shall be fined a minimum of [$250] $500 plus penalty assessment of which [20] 50 percent is payable to the town or city where the violation occurred;
(k) On any controlled access highway;
(l) In the area between roadways of a divided highway, including crossovers;
(m) In or overlapping into any access aisle. Notwithstanding the provisions of title LXII or any other provision of law, a person who violates the provisions of this subparagraph shall be fined a minimum of [$50] $100 for a first offense and a minimum of [$100] $200 for each subsequent offense.
3 Enforcement; Walking Disability Designated Spaces and Aisles; Fine. Amend RSA 265:69-a, II to read as follows:
II. Upon receipt of testimony under paragraph I by the appropriate law enforcement agency, such agency shall fine the violator a minimum of [$250] $500 plus penalty assessment pursuant to RSA 265:69, I(j).
4 Walking Disability; Parking Privileges; Fines. Amend RSA 265:74 to read as follows:
265:74 Parking Privileges for Persons With Walking Disability.
I. Any motor vehicle carrying the special plates or hanging windshield placard issued to a person with a walking disability under RSA 261:88, or a similar license plate displaying the international accessibility symbol shall be allowed free parking in any city or town, including any state or municipal parking facility where a fee is charged. Each city or town shall have the discretion to set the time periods using guidelines which shall be provided by the governor's commission on disability. The free parking shall only be allowed if the person who qualifies for the special plates or hanging placard is being transported in the vehicle to or from the parking place. Parking places designated for persons with walking disabilities shall be utilized only if a person with a walking disability is being transported in the vehicle to or from the parking place. Notwithstanding the provisions of any local ordinance which has been adopted to regulate parking in places designated for persons with walking disabilities, any person who is convicted under this section shall be guilty of a violation and fined [$250] $500 plus penalty assessment of which [20] 50 percent is payable to the town or city where the violation occurred.
II. Any person who parks a vehicle in any parking place, whether on public or private property, specially designated for a person with a walking disability by means of a sign as required by RSA 265:73-a stating that the space is reserved for a person with a walking disability or displaying the international accessibility symbol, while displaying a counterfeit, forged, stolen, or purchased handicap placard that has not been issued by an agency with authority to do so, shall be guilty of a violation with a fine of not less than $1,000 for a first offense, and a misdemeanor with a fine of not less than $1,500 for a second or subsequent offense.
I. Section 1 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
2025-2526s
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Allows the division of motor vehicles to create a temporary traditional driver's license for youth operators whose youth operator license will expire in 30 days or less.
II. Requires that walking disability placards contain certain driver's license information, creates a penalty for a disabled driver who parks in a restricted parking space without displaying their placard, and increases fines for parking in restricted spaces without a placard.
III. Makes the display of a counterfeit, fraudulent, or other unofficial walking disability placard while parked in a properly designated parking space reserved for individuals with walking disabilities a violation or misdemeanor.