The bill amends the Code of West Virginia to provide free parking at metered spaces for disabled veterans and veterans awarded the Purple Heart, allowing them to park without depositing coins or currency, as long as they have the appropriate designation on their registration plate. It also prohibits public entities from charging individuals with mobility impairments who cannot access parking meters due to their condition. The legislation establishes penalties for false certification regarding mobility impairments and outlines exemptions from parking fees. Additionally, it modifies existing regulations concerning accessible parking, emphasizing compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and setting guidelines for accessible parking spaces, including signage and enforcement measures.

Moreover, the bill introduces a program for law enforcement agencies to utilize trained volunteers to gather information for issuing citations to individuals who illegally park in designated accessible parking spaces. Volunteers will document violations by photographing vehicles and providing essential details for citation issuance. The bill mandates that law enforcement agencies cover workers' compensation and liability for these volunteers. Local authorities adopting these enforcement measures can retain fines and late fees collected from violations, with funds first directed to the volunteer program. The commissioner is responsible for creating informational documents about the privileges and penalties associated with special registration plates and placards, and individuals with valid parking certification are exempt from paying for parking at expired meters in accessible spaces under specific criteria.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 17A-3-15a
Engrossed Version: 17A-3-15a
Enrolled Version: 17C-13-6