PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Improve Wheelchair-dependent Parking Access
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §521, sub-§9-A,  as amended by PL 2005, c. 528, §1, is further amended to read:
 
9-A. Enforcement of disability parking restrictions.   A law enforcement officer may enforce disability parking restrictions. The State Police shall enforce disability parking restrictions at service facilities established on the Maine Turnpike and on the interstate highway system in the State. A person commits a traffic infraction if that person parks in a parking space designated and clearly marked for persons with physical disabilities and has not been issued or is not transporting a person who has been issued a disability registration plate or a removable windshield placard pursuant to this section or section 523 or a disability registration plate or placard issued by another state. A person commits a traffic infraction if that person parks in an access aisle, regardless of whether the person has been issued a disability registration plate or removable placard. Notwithstanding section 2604, a person who violates this subsection is subject to a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $500.
 
A.  A person commits a traffic infraction if that person:
 
(1) Parks in a parking space designated and clearly marked for persons with physical disabilities and has not been issued or is not transporting a person who has been issued a disability registration plate or a removable windshield placard pursuant to this section or section 523 or a disability registration plate or placard issued by another state;
 
(2) Parks in an access aisle, regardless of whether the person has been issued a disability registration plate or removable placard; or
 
(3) Has a disability registration plate or removable windshield placard and parks in a van accessible disability parking space with an access aisle, as described under 28 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 36, Appendix A, Standards for Accessible Design, Section 4.1.2(5), and does not require or is not transporting a person who requires mobility equipment, including, but not limited to, a wheelchair, or mobility equipment lift systems necessary for a person to enter or exit the vehicle safely. This subparagraph does not apply if the parking lot has only one designated disability parking space.
 
B.  Notwithstanding section 2604, a person who violates this subsection is subject to a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $500.
 
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits a person who possesses a disability registration plate or removable windshield placard from parking in a van accessible disability parking space as described under 28 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 36, Appendix A, Standards for Accessible Design, Section 4.1.2(5). This provision does not apply if the parking lot has only one designated disability parking space.