1     
DISABLED LICENSE PLATES AMENDMENTS

2     
2020 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Mark A. Wheatley

5     
Senate Sponsor: ____________

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill allows a vehicle carrying a disabled veteran and equipped with a disabled
10     veteran honor special group license plate to park in an accessible parking space.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     allows a vehicle carrying a disabled veteran and equipped with a disabled veteran
14     honor special group license plate to park in an accessible parking space.
15     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
16          None
17     Other Special Clauses:
18          None
19     Utah Code Sections Affected:
20     AMENDS:
21          41-1a-414, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 41
22          41-1a-1306, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 41
23     

24     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25          Section 1. Section 41-1a-414 is amended to read:
26          41-1a-414. Parking privileges for persons with disabilities.
27          (1) As used in this section:

28          (a) "Accessible parking space" means a parking space that is clearly identified as
29     reserved for use by a person with a disability and includes:
30          (i) vertical signage, including the international symbol of accessibility, that is visible
31     from a passing vehicle; and
32          (ii) a clearly marked access aisle, if provided, that is adjacent to and considered part of
33     the parking space.
34          (b) "Temporary wheelchair user placard" means the same as that term is defined in
35     Section 41-1a-420.
36          (c) "Van accessible parking space" means an accessible parking space that is marked
37     for use by a qualifying person with a walking disability who has a temporary wheelchair user
38     placard or a wheelchair user placard and includes:
39          (i) vertical signage with the international symbol of accessibility and the words "van
40     accessible" that is visible from a passing vehicle; and
41          (ii) a clearly marked access aisle that is adjacent to and considered part of the parking
42     space.
43          (d) "Walking disability" means a physical disability that requires the use of a
44     walking-assistive device or wheelchair or similar low-powered motorized or mechanically
45     propelled vehicle that is specifically designed to assist a person who has a limited or impaired
46     ability to walk.
47          (e) "Wheelchair user placard" means the same as that term is defined in Section
48     41-1a-420.
49          (2) Except in parking areas designated for emergency use, a person with a disability,
50     qualifying under rules made in accordance with Section 41-1a-420, may park an appropriately
51     marked vehicle for reasonable periods without charge in metered parking zones and restricted
52     parking areas, in a manner that allows proper access to the vehicle by the person with a
53     disability.
54          (3) (a) Only those vehicles carrying a person with a disabled veteran honor special
55     group license plate, disability special group license plate, temporary removable windshield
56     placard, or removable windshield placard and transporting a qualifying person with a disability
57     may park in an accessible parking space.
58          (b) A violation of Subsection (3)(a) is a class C misdemeanor.

59          (c) A person described in Subsection (3)(a) is encouraged to avoid parking in a van
60     accessible parking space unless:
61          (i) the person has a walking disability and has a temporary wheelchair user placard;
62          (ii) the person has a wheelchair user placard; or
63          (iii) all other accessible parking spaces that are not van accessible parking spaces are
64     occupied.
65          (4) This section applies to and may be enforced on public property and on private
66     property that is used or intended for use by the public.
67          (5) The parking privileges granted by this section also apply to vehicles displaying a
68     person with a disabled veteran honor special group license plate, disability special group
69     license plate, temporary removable windshield placard, or removable windshield placard issued
70     by another jurisdiction if displayed on a vehicle being used by a person with a disability.
71          Section 2. Section 41-1a-1306 is amended to read:
72          41-1a-1306. Abuse of persons with disabilities parking privileges -- Revocation of
73     special plate or transferable ID card -- Fine.
74          A person with a disability who abuses the rights and privileges conferred under Section
75     41-1a-414 or allows an individual who is not a person with a disability to use those parking
76     privileges may have the person's disability special group license plate, disabled veteran honor
77     special group license plate, temporary removable windshield placard, removable windshield
78     placard, temporary wheelchair user placard, or wheelchair user placard revoked by the division.