Enforcement of disability parking (new law)

Statutes laying out criteria for enforcement of disability parking areas have been amended by a new law.

Sponsored by Rep. Shelley Madore (DFL-Apple Valley) and Sen. John Doll (DFL-Burnsville), the law provides minimum requirements if a statutory or home rule charter city wants to enact an ordinance establishing a permit program for long-term disability parking. Ordinances can already be established for long-term parking.

According to the new law, signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty May 5 and effective Aug. 1, 2008, if a city enacts the ordinance, a permit program for long-term disability parking must have at a minimum:

• a limitation on disability parking of a maximum of four hours during the hours of enforcement, on one-hour, 90-minute and two-hour parking meters;

• a requirement for city parking lots and ramps to provide a 50 percent discount on monthly fees for contracted parkers with disabilities or a 50 percent reduction in the hourly rate; and

• the issuance of a special needs permit to an employed person with severe disability for an all-day, on-street parking permit that will accommodate the person’s access needs.

HF3727/SF3372*/CH272