Revision: May 1, 2025, 1:52 p.m.
Rep. Giasson, Hills. 29
April 29, 2025
2025-1799h
11/09
Amendment to SB 151-FN
Amend RSA 265:69, I(j) as inserted by section 1 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
(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;
Amend the bill by replacing section 3 with the following:
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.
2025-1799h
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.