This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to strengthen regulations regarding designated accessible parking for individuals with mobility impairments. It raises penalties for violations, increasing fines for illegally parking in accessible spaces from $500 to $750, and for fabricating or using unofficial placards or identification cards from $700 to $1,000. The legislation also establishes a public awareness program aimed at educating the community about the laws and penalties related to accessible parking. Furthermore, it outlines the qualifications for obtaining special registration plates and removable windshield placards, requiring a medical certificate for applications and ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.

In addition to enhancing enforcement, the bill mandates law enforcement agencies to create a volunteer program for monitoring accessible parking, providing workers' compensation and liability coverage for volunteers. These volunteers will be trained to document violations and submit evidence for citation issuance. Local authorities adopting these provisions will retain collected fines to fund related initiatives. The bill also specifies that individuals with mobility impairments are exempt from parking fees in accessible spaces if they display a valid parking certification from a licensed medical provider, confirming their condition. Overall, the legislation aims to improve accessibility and enforcement for individuals with mobility challenges in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 17C-13-6