HF 2835

1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/31/2014 05:11pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; traffic regulations; modifying provisions governing
disability parking; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 168.021,
subdivisions 1, 3; Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement, section 169.346,
subdivision 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 168.021, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Disability plates; application.

(a) When a motor vehicle registered
under section 168.017, a motorcycle as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 19, a
one-ton pickup truck as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 21b, or a self-propelled
recreational vehicle as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 27, is owned or primarily
operated by a permanently physically disabled person or a custodial parent or guardian of
a permanently physically disabled minor new text begin or legal ward as defined in section 524.5-102,
subdivision 17 new text end , the owner may apply for and secure from the commissioner (1)
immediately, a temporary permit valid for 30 days if the applicant is eligible for the
disability plates issued under this section and (2) two disability plates with attached
emblems, one plate to be attached to the front, and one to the rear of the motor vehicle,
truck, or recreational vehicle, or, in the case of a motorcycle, one disability plate the
same size as a regular motorcycle plate.

(b) The commissioner shall not issue more than one plate to the owner of a
motorcycle and not more than one set of plates to any owner of another vehicle described
in paragraph (a) at the same time unless the state Council on Disability approves the
issuance of a second plate or set of plates to an owner.

(c) When the owner first applies for the disability plate or plates, the owner must
submit a medical statement in a format approved by the commissioner under section
169.345, or proof of physical disability provided for in that section.

(d) No medical statement or proof of disability is required when an owner applies for
a plate or plates for one or more vehicles listed in paragraph (a) that are specially modified
for and used exclusively by permanently physically disabled persons.

(e) The owner of a vehicle listed in paragraph (a) may apply for and secure (i)
immediately, a permit valid for 30 days, if the applicant is eligible to receive the disability
plate or plates issued under this section, and (ii) a disability plate or plates for the vehicle if:

(1) the owner employs a permanently physically disabled person who would qualify
for the disability plate or plates under this section; and

(2) the owner furnishes the motor vehicle to the physically disabled person for the
exclusive use of that person in the course of employment.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 168.021, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Penalties for unauthorized use of plates.

(a) A person who uses the
disability plate or plates or permit provided under this section on a motor vehicle in
violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is subject to a fine of $500. This
subdivision does not preclude a person who is not physically disabled from operating a
vehicle bearing the disability plates or permit if:

(1) the person is the owner of the vehicle described in subdivision 1 and permits its
operation by a physically disabled person;

(2) the person operates the vehicle with the consent of the owner who is physically
disabled; or

(3) the person is the owner of the vehicle, is the custodial parent or guardian of a
permanently physically disabled minor new text begin or legal ward new text end , and operates the vehicle to transport
the minor new text begin or legal ward new text end .

(b) A driver who is not disabled is not entitled to the parking privileges provided in
this section and in section 169.346 unless parking the vehicle for a physically disabled
person.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement, section 169.346, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Disability parking space signs.

(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 new text begin , new text end and indicating that new text begin : (1) the vehicle
identification under subdivision 1, clause (4), item (ii), is required; (2) the vehicle must be
centered to the sign; and (3) new text end violators are subject to a fine of up to $200. deleted text begin These parking
spaces are reserved for disabled persons with motor vehicles displaying the required
certificate, plates, permit valid for 30 days, or insignia.
deleted text end

(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 EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2014, and applies to signs
as they are first installed or replaced in ordinary course after the effective date.
new text end