SB 151-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
03/13/2025 0497s
03/13/2025 0913s
8May2025... 1799h
2025 SESSION
25-1092
11/09
SENATE BILL 151-FN
AN ACT relative to accessible parking permit verification and fraud prevention.
SPONSORS: Sen. Abbas, Dist 22; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Rochefort, Dist 1; Rep. Panek, Hills. 1; Rep. Tenczar, Hills. 1
COMMITTEE: Transportation
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill 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. This bill also 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.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/13/2025 0497s
03/13/2025 0913s
8May2025... 1799h 25-1092
11/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT relative to accessible parking permit verification and fraud prevention.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 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.
2 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).
3 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.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
25-1092
4/17/25
SB 151-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENTS #2025-0497s and #2025-0913s)
AN ACT relative to accessible parking permit verification and fraud prevention.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Legislative Budget Assistant has determined that this legislation has a total fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each of the fiscal years 2025 through 2028.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Safety
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Feb. 19, 2025 | 2025-0497s |
| March 5, 2025 | 2025-0708s |
| March 12, 2025 | 2025-0913s |
| May 1, 2025 | 2025-1799h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 4, 2025 | Senate | Hearing |
| March 6, 2025 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| March 6, 2025 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| March 13, 2025 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| April 22, 2025 | House | Hearing |
| May 6, 2025 | House | Exec Session |
| May 1, 2025 | House | Exec Session |
| May 1, 2025 | House | Floor Vote |
| May 23, 2025 | House | Hearing |
| May 23, 2025 | House | Exec Session |
| May 23, 2025 | House | Floor Vote |
June 12, 2025: Sen. Ricciardi Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 06/12/2025; SJ 16
June 5, 2025: Ought to Pass: MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16
May 28, 2025: Committee Report: Ought to Pass 05/23/2025 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 27 P. 9
May 14, 2025: Executive Session: 05/23/2025 01:00 pm LOB 202-204
May 14, 2025: Public Hearing: 05/23/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
May 8, 2025: Referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 14
May 8, 2025: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-1799h: MA VV 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 13
May 8, 2025: Amendment # 2025-1799h: AA VV 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 13
May 1, 2025: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1799h 05/01/2025 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 23 P. 10
May 1, 2025: Executive Session: 05/01/2025 12:00 pm LOB 203
April 23, 2025: ==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 05/06/2025 01:00 pm LOB 203
April 16, 2025: Public Hearing: 04/22/2025 10:10 am LOB 203
March 28, 2025: Introduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Transportation HJ 11 P. 111
March 13, 2025: Ought to Pass with Amendments #2025-0497s and #2025-0913s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/13/2025; SJ 6
March 13, 2025: Sen. Gray Floor Amendment # 2025-0913s, AA, VV; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
March 13, 2025: Committee Amendment # 2025-0497s, AA, VV; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
March 6, 2025: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0497s, 03/13/2025, Vote 5-0; SC 12
March 6, 2025: Special Order to Next Session, Without Objection; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
March 6, 2025: SB 151 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
Feb. 20, 2025: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0497s, 03/06/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
Jan. 29, 2025: Hearing: 02/04/2025, Room 101, LOB, 01:15 pm; SC 8
Jan. 22, 2025: Introduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 3