1     
DISABLED VETERAN PARKING AMENDMENTS

2     
2024 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Ashlee Matthews

5     
Senate Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper

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7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies parking requirements for accessible parking spaces for certain
10     individuals.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     allows individuals with a disabled veteran license plate or Purple Heart license plate
14     to park in an accessible parking space without displaying an additional placard.
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     

23     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
24          Section 1. Section 41-1a-414 is amended to read:
25          41-1a-414. Parking privileges for persons with disabilities.
26          (1) As used in this section:
27          (a) "Accessible parking space" means a parking space that is clearly identified as

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

59          (i) display:
60          (A) a disability special group license plate;
61          (B) an honor special group license plate;
62          (C) a temporary removable windshield placard; or
63          (D) a removable windshield placard; and
64          (ii) be transporting a qualifying person with a disability.
65          (b) A violation of Subsection (3)(a) is a class C misdemeanor.
66          (c) A person described in Subsection (3)(a) is encouraged to avoid parking in a van
67     accessible parking space unless:
68          (i) the person has a walking disability and has a temporary wheelchair user placard;
69          (ii) the person has a wheelchair user placard; or
70          (iii) all other accessible parking spaces that are not van accessible parking spaces are
71     occupied.
72          (4) This section applies to and may be enforced on public property and on private
73     property that is used or intended for use by the public.
74          (5) The parking privileges granted by this section also apply to vehicles displaying a
75     person with a disability special group license plate, temporary removable windshield placard,
76     or removable windshield placard issued by another jurisdiction if displayed on a vehicle being
77     used by a person with a disability.
78          Section 2. Effective date.
79          This bill takes effect on May 1, 2024.