Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 210 Second Substitute (2024GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Matthews, A.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/14/2024

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• allows individuals with a disabled veteran license plate or Purple Heart license plate to park in an accessible parking space without displaying an additional placard.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

DISABLED VETERAN PARKING AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Ashlee Matthews
Senate Sponsor: 
 Wayne A. Harper
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill modifies parking requirements for accessible parking spaces for certain
individuals.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ allows individuals with a disabled veteran license plate or Purple Heart license plate
to park in an accessible parking space without displaying an additional placard.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
41-1a-414
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 41
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
41-1a-414
 is amended to read:
41-1a-414.
Parking privileges for persons with disabilities.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Accessible parking space" means a parking space that is clearly identified as
reserved for use by a person with a disability and includes:
(i) vertical signage, including the international symbol of accessibility, that is visible
from a passing vehicle; and
(ii) a clearly marked access aisle, if provided, that is adjacent to and considered part of
the parking space.
(b) "Honor special group license plate" means a disabled veteran license plate or a
Purple Heart license plate.
[
(b)
] 
(c)
 "Temporary wheelchair user placard" means the same as that term is defined
in Section 
41-1a-420
.
[
(c)
] 
(d)
 "Van accessible parking space" means an accessible parking space that is
marked for use by a qualifying person with a walking disability who has a temporary
wheelchair user placard or a wheelchair user placard and includes:
(i) vertical signage with the international symbol of accessibility and the words "van
accessible" that is visible from a passing vehicle; and
(ii) a clearly marked access aisle that is adjacent to and considered part of the parking
space.
[
(d)
] 
(e)
 "Walking disability" means a physical disability that requires the use of a
walking-assistive device or wheelchair or similar low-powered motorized or mechanically
propelled vehicle that is specifically designed to assist a person who has a limited or impaired
ability to walk.
[
(e)
] 
(f)
 "Wheelchair user placard" means the same as that term is defined in Section
41-1a-420
.
(2) Except in parking areas designated for emergency use, a person with a disability,
qualifying under rules made in accordance with Section 
41-1a-420
, may park an appropriately
marked vehicle for reasonable periods without charge in metered parking zones and restricted
parking areas, in a manner that allows proper access to the vehicle by the person with a
disability.
(3) (a) [
Only those vehicles carrying a person with a disability special group license
plate, temporary removable windshield placard, or removable windshield placard and
transporting a qualifying person with a disability may park in an accessible parking space.
] 
To
park in an accessible parking space, the vehicle shall:
(i) display:
(A) a disability special group license plate;
(B) an honor special group license plate;
(C) a temporary removable windshield placard; or
(D) a removable windshield placard; and
(ii) be transporting a qualifying person with a disability.
(b) A violation of Subsection (3)(a) is a class C misdemeanor.
(c) A person described in Subsection (3)(a) is encouraged to avoid parking in a van
accessible parking space unless:
(i) the person has a walking disability and has a temporary wheelchair user placard;
(ii) the person has a wheelchair user placard; or
(iii) all other accessible parking spaces that are not van accessible parking spaces are
occupied.
(4) This section applies to and may be enforced on public property and on private
property that is used or intended for use by the public.
(5) The parking privileges granted by this section also apply to vehicles displaying a
person with a disability special group license plate, temporary removable windshield placard,
or removable windshield placard issued by another jurisdiction if displayed on a vehicle being
used by a person with a disability.
Section 2. 
Effective date.
This bill takes effect on May 1, 2024.