The bill amends West Virginia Code 17C-13-6 to create designated parking spaces for Purple Heart recipients, allowing public entities and commercial facilities to mark these spaces in purple and post signs indicating their reserved status for vehicles displaying a Purple Heart plate. It also provides an affirmative defense for individuals accused of violating parking regulations in these spaces, provided they can prove their status as valid Purple Heart recipients. The legislation establishes penalties for unauthorized parking in these designated areas, with escalating fines for repeat offenses, while emphasizing compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Additionally, the bill introduces new enforcement measures for both accessible and Purple Heart parking spaces, permitting parking enforcement personnel to issue citations based on license plate numbers when drivers are absent. It allows law enforcement agencies to utilize trained volunteers to document violations and issue citations, with local authorities required to allocate fines from their ordinances to fund these volunteer programs. The bill also specifies conditions under which individuals with mobility impairments are exempt from parking fees in accessible spaces, requiring a special registration plate or placard and a valid medical certification visible in the vehicle. The commissioner is tasked with preparing informational materials to raise public awareness about these new provisions and associated penalties.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 17C-13-6
Committee Substitute: 17C-13-6
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 17C-13-6