SF 4893
Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)
Posted on 03/27/2026 09:19 a.m.
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A bill for an act
relating to transportation; modifying accessible parking enforcement standards;
requiring statewide citizen disability parking enforcement program; authorizing
certain postpartum people to use accessible parking spaces; establishing penalties;
requiring rulemaking; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024,
sections 169.345, subdivision 2; 169.346, subdivisions 2, 2a, 4.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.345, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2.
Definitions.
(a) For the purpose of section 168.021 and this section, the following
terms have the meanings given them in this subdivision.
(b) "Health professional" means a licensed physician, licensed physician assistant,
advanced practice registered nurse, licensed physical therapist, or licensed chiropractor.
(c) "Long-term certificate" means a certificate issued for a period greater than 12 months
but not greater than 71 months.
(d) "Organization certificate" means a certificate issued to an entity other than a natural
person for a period of three years.
(e) "Permit" refers to a permit that is issued for a period of 30 days, in lieu of the
certificate referred to in subdivision 3, while the application is being processed.
(f) "Physically disabled person" means a person who:
(1) because of disability cannot walk without significant risk of falling;
(2) because of disability cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest;
(3) because of disability cannot walk without the aid of another person, a walker, a cane,
crutches, braces, a prosthetic device, or a wheelchair;
(4) is restricted by a respiratory disease to such an extent that the person's forced
(respiratory) expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than
one liter;
(5) has an arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) of less than 60 mm/Hg on room air at rest;
(6) uses portable oxygen;
(7) has a cardiac condition to the extent that the person's functional limitations are
classified in severity as class III or class IV according to standards set by the American
Heart Association;
(8) has lost an arm or a leg and does not have or cannot use an artificial limb;
(9) has a disability that would be aggravated by walking 200 feet under normal
environmental conditions to an extent that would be life threatening; or
(10) is legally blind.
(g) A pregnant personnew text begin or a postpartum person within 45 days of giving birthnew text end experiencing
any of the conditions described in paragraph (f) is eligible for parking privileges pursuant
to this section.
(h) "Short-term certificate" means a certificate issued for a period greater than six months
but not greater than 12 months.
(i) "Six-year certificate" means a certificate issued for a period of six years.
(j) "Temporary certificate" means a certificate issued for a period not greater than six
months.
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.346, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2.
Disability parking space signsnew text begin ; pavement markingsnew text end .
(a) Parking spaces
reserved for physically disabled persons must be designated and identified by the posting
of signs incorporating the international symbol of access in white on blue and indicating
that violators are subject to a fine of up to $200. These parking spaces are reserved for
disabled persons with motor vehicles displaying the required certificate, plates, permit valid
for 30 days, or insignia.
(b) For purposes of this subdivision, a parking space that is clearly identified as reserved
for physically disabled persons by a permanently posted sign that does not meet all design
standards, is considered designated and reserved for physically disabled persons. A sign
posted for the purpose of this section must be visible from inside a motor vehicle parked in
the space, be kept clear of snow or other obstructions which block its visibility, and be
nonmovable.
new text begin
(c) All accessible parking spaces and associated access aisles must be clearly marked
and visible on paved surfaces under dry conditions.
new text end
deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end By August 1, 2024, the Minnesota Council on Disability must select and propose
a statewide uniform disability parking space sign that is consistent with the Americans with
Disabilities Act. The selected and proposed sign must not display any variation of the word
"handicapped." As part of selecting and proposing a statewide uniform disability parking
space sign, the Minnesota Council on Disability may encourage owners or managers of
property to replace existing disability parking space signs at the owner's earliest opportunity
once the sign is made available for distribution.
deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end Beginning on August 1, 2025, an applicable owner or manager of property on
which a disability parking sign may be located must install and display the new uniform
disability parking sign required in paragraph deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end at:
(1) newly created on-site parking facilities; and
(2) existing on-site parking facilities when the manager or owner replaces existing
disability parking space signs.
Sec. 3.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.346, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
Subd. 2a.
Parking space free of obstruction; penalty.
The owner or manager of the
property on which the designated parking space is located must ensure that the parking
space and associated access aisle are kept free of obstruction. If the owner or manager does
not have the parking space properly posted or knowingly allows the parking space or access
aisle to be blockednew text begin or obstructednew text end by deleted text begin ploweddeleted text end snow,new text begin ice,new text end merchandise, or similar obstructions,
the owner or manager is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to $500new text begin per
day the obstruction existsnew text end .
Sec. 4.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.346, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4.
deleted text begin Local ordinance;deleted text end Citizen enforcement program.
new text begin (a) new text end A statutory or home rule
charter city may, by ordinance,new text begin and the commissioner, in collaboration with the Minnesota
Council on Disability, mustnew text end establish a program to enforce the parking restrictions of this
section or any similar local ordinance, relating to parking spaces for the physically disabled,
by using citizen volunteers to issue citations to violators. The ordinance deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin and statewide
program mustnew text end contain a process for training program participants in the requirements of the
law, the method of issuing citations, and other related matters. Program participants who
satisfy the training requirements of the ordinance are authorized to issue citations for
violations of this section and are exempt from any other training or licensure requirements
imposed on law enforcement officers by chapter 626.
new text begin
(b) In collaboration with the Minnesota Council on Disability, the commissioner must
establish a digital reporting portal on the department's website to allow citizens to report
disability parking space violations.
new text end
new text begin
(c) A $25 surcharge is added to all fines paid pursuant to citizen citations issued under
this subdivision. Of the amounts paid pursuant to citizen citations issued pursuant to the
statewide program under paragraph (a), 50 percent is transferred to the agency administering
the citation and the remaining 50 percent is deposited in the accessible parking citizen
enforcement program account, which is established in the special revenue fund. Money in
the account is annually appropriated first to the commissioner for administration of the
account funds. The remaining money is annually appropriated to the Minnesota Council on
Disability for accessible parking awareness, education, marketing, and grants for expanding
disability parking space accessibility across the state.
new text end
Sec. 5. new text begin ACCESSIBLE PARKING CITIZEN ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM;
APPROPRIATION.
new text end
new text begin
(a) $250,000 in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of transportation to implement the accessible parking citizen enforcement program established
under Minnesota Statutes, section 169.346, subdivision 4. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end
new text begin
(b) $75,000 in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to the Minnesota
Council on Disability to coordinate with the commissioner of transportation in operating,
and to raise awareness of, the accessible parking citizen enforcement program established
under Minnesota Statutes, section 169.346, subdivision 4. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end
Sec. 6. new text begin ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES; RULEMAKING.
new text end
new text begin
(a) The Department of Labor and Industry must amend Minnesota Rules, part 1341.0502,
to require at least ten percent of all parking spaces to be disability parking spaces. The
ten-percent standard must apply to new and resurfaced or repainted parking lots beginning
July 1, 2027, and all parking lots by June 30, 2031.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The Department of Labor and Industry must amend Minnesota Rules, part 1341.0502,
subpart 2, to require signs marking access aisles to include a warning that unauthorized
parking in an access aisle is subject to the fines and penalties under Minnesota Statutes,
section 169.346.
new text end
new text begin
(c) The Department of Labor and Industry may use the good cause exemption under
Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, in adopting rules required under this section.
new text end
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end