HB 247 Summary

• Allows parking enforcement specialists or agencies (in addition to law enforcement) to validate compliance and issue affidavits of compliance for citations illegally parked in disabled spaces, with fines waived upon proof of valid permit.

• Requires in-person renewal of disabled parking permits and requires applicants to provide current disability certificates; in-person appearance also required for replacement of lost or stolen permits.

• Prohibits persons from applying for new disabled parking permits for 4 years after a second conviction or nolo contendere plea for fraudulent or unlawful use of such permits.

• Requires the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to conduct audits at least every 6 months to verify permit holder eligibility, review confiscation history, check death records, and invalidate permits of deceased permit holders.

• Directs the department to establish a reporting system for permit abuse (by phone, online, or mail) and conduct a public awareness campaign for at least 6 months beginning within 30 days of the act's effective date.