Minnesota Session Laws - 1983, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1983 

                         CHAPTER 24--S.F.No. 421
           An act relating to traffic regulations; regulating 
          parking privileges for handicapped persons; 
          prohibiting obstructing access to a parking space for 
          handicapped persons; providing for signposts of 
          limited movability designating handicapped parking 
          space; providing for enforcement; providing penalties; 
          amending Minnesota Statutes 1982, section 169.346.  
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1982, section 169.346, is 
amended to read:  
    169.346 [PARKING FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED; PROHIBITIONS; 
PENALTIES.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [PARKING CRITERIA.] No person shall park a 
motor vehicle in or obstruct access to a parking space 
designated and reserved for the physically handicapped, on 
either private or public property, or exercise the parking 
privilege provided in section 169.345, unless:  
    (a) that person is a physically handicapped person as 
defined in section 169.345, subdivision 2, or the person is 
transporting a physically handicapped person; and 
    (b) the vehicle visibly displays the certificate or license 
plate issued to physically handicapped persons or the 
certificate issued to persons transporting physically 
handicapped persons by the department of public safety pursuant 
to sections section 169.345, subdivision 3, or 168.021, or if 
the vehicle visibly displays an equivalent certificate, insignia 
, or license plate issued by another state or one of its 
political subdivisions. 
    Subd. 2.  [SIGNS.] Handicapped parking spaces shall must be 
designated and identified by the posting of signs incorporating 
the international symbol of access in white on blue and 
indicating that the parking space is reserved for the 
handicapped with vehicles displaying the required certificate, 
license plates, or insignia.  Spaces which have been clearly 
identified for handicapped parking by signs which are not in 
compliance with the design standards as set forth in this 
subdivision shall also be deemed designated and reserved for the 
physically handicapped for the purposes of this section.  A sign 
posted for the purpose of this section shall must be visible 
from inside a vehicle parked in the space and shall, be kept 
clear of snow or other obstructions which block its visibility, 
and be nonmovable or only movable by authorized persons. 
    Subd. 3.  [PENALTY.] Any person who violates the provisions 
of subdivision 1 is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall be 
fined not less than $15 $25 nor more than $100.  This 
subdivision shall be enforced in the same manner as parking 
ordinances or regulations are enforced in the governmental 
subdivision in which the violation occurs.  Law enforcement 
officers have the authority to tag vehicles parked on either 
private or public property in violation of the provisions of 
subdivision 1.  A handicapped person charged with violating 
subdivision 1 because he parked in a handicapped parking space 
without the required certificate or insignia shall not be 
convicted if he produces in court or prior to the court 
appearance the required certificate or insignia and demonstrates 
that he was entitled to the certificate or insignia at the time 
of arrest or tagging. 
    Approved April 6, 1983