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Senate Passes Bill to Crack Down on Disabled Parking Abuse

(JUNEAU) - Sen. Dave Donley (R-Anchorage), scored a victory for disabled Alaskans Friday with the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 206. Following the 18-0 vote in the Senate, SB 206 moved to the House for consideration.

SB 206 will provide better access to disabled parking spaces for the truly disabled and combat the abuse of disabled parking permits.

"This legislation sends a clear message that misuse of disabled parking permits and unauthorized use of accessible parking spaces will be strongly dealt with," said Donley.

Starting back in 1998 Donley worked with a group of citizens and representatives from a number of state agencies, including the Division of Motor Vehicles, to draft this reform and strengthening of Alaska's disabled parking laws.

Passage of SB 206 into law would mean that a disabled individual must actually be entering or leaving the vehicle in order to use accessible parking areas. The DMV will provide information to state troopers or local police to determine if a placard or license plate is being used fraudulently.

SB 206 will also stiffen the fines and punishment for those found to be violating the expanded disabled parking laws. Those new fines will be as follows:

• Illegally parking in a disabled parking space
  
  Current - $100 fine
  
  New - $125 first offense.

$125 plus two points accessed against their driving record for subsequent offenses.

• Misuse of a disabled parking permit
  
  Current - $100 fine
  
  New - $250 fine and two points assessed against their driving record for the first offense.

$250 fine and four points assessed against their driving record for subsequent offenses.

"Accessible parking areas are needed to provide easier access for our disabled population," said Donley. "Abusers of the system are hindering that access for those who truly need it. This law is intended to reduce that abuse."

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