House Republican Press Release

June 1, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Miller: Handicapped Parking Bill Becomes Law

Measure Will Prevent Abuse of Permits, Increase Fines

HARTFORD- A measure that will significantly increase fines for people who violate Connecticut’s handicapped parking law has been signed into law by Governor M. Jodi Rell said State Representative Larry Miller, who cosponsored the legislation.

“There are a number of people who unfortunately abuse parking spaces designated for handicapped parking, and abuse permits that were either issued to them temporarily, or belong to someone else,” said Representative Miller.  “This measure will increase penalties for those who abuse handicapped permits, or inappropriately use handicapped spaces.  I applaud the governor for signing this bill into law.”

Miller noted that the public needs to keep in mind why there are handicapped parking spaces to begin with.  “We need to remember that there are people who need these spaces because of limited mobility, injury, or disability,” said Miller.  “I have always found it offensive when someone who is clearly able-bodied abuses these spaces for their convenience.  This law will hopefully make some people think twice about it, and will punish more harshly those who are indifferent.”

Currently, violations of the handicapped parking law are infractions with a fine of not less than $85. The new law eliminates the designation as an infraction and increases the fine to $150 for a first violation and $250 for a subsequent violation.

The new law (Public Act 07-52), takes effect October 1, 2007. 

Violations of the handicapped parking law that are subject to the higher fines include:

·         Parking in a space designated for a handicapped person.

·         The unauthorized display of a special license plate or placard issued to a disabled person.

·         Failure to return a temporary handicapped parking plate or placard to the state Department of Motor Vehicles when the permit expires.

·         Failure to provide designated spaces for handicapped persons as required by state law.

State law requires that fines assessed for violations of the handicapped parking law be remitted by the state to the municipalities in which the violations took place.