What's happening
This bill allows vehicles with New York State-issued handicapped parking permits to use designated handicapped spaces throughout New York City.
Why it matters
Expands accessibility for disabled drivers. By allowing vehicles with New York State-issued handicapped permits to park in all designated handicapped spaces across New York City, mobility for individuals with disabilities is significantly improved, reducing barriers to travel within the city.
Creates statewide permit reciprocity. The bill ensures that handicapped parking permits issued anywhere in New York State are recognized in New York City, addressing past inconsistencies where city-issued permits were sometimes required, thus making travel between municipalities easier for disabled individuals.
Potentially increases demand for accessible spaces. With more permit holders eligible to use handicapped spots citywide, the availability of these spaces may decrease, which could prompt future discussions about the adequacy and distribution of accessible parking in high-demand areas.
Standardizes enforcement and identification. The legislation clarifies that permits must display specific identification information, which can help law enforcement verify eligibility and reduce abuse of handicapped parking privileges, ensuring the spaces are reserved for those who truly need them.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Universal Disabled Parking Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 7
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Statewide Disabled Parking Access
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Steve Stern
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2965
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 31, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KAPLAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the New York city charter, in relation to permitted use of handicapped spaces in the city of New York
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The opening paragraph of subdivision 1 of section 1203-a of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 298 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
The commissioner shall distribute special vehicle identification parking permits to the governing bodies of all cities, towns and villages in the state. Notwithstanding any local law or ordinance to the contrary, such permits shall entitle any vehicle displaying such permit to park in any area in any city, town or village of the state which has been designated by such city, town or village or pursuant to the provisions of section twelve hundred three-c of this article as a place for parking for persons with disabilities. Such permits shall entitle any vehicle displaying such permit to park in the authorized parking spaces for vehicles having a special identification permit as described in subparagraph (f) of paragraph fifteen of subdivision a of section twenty-nine hundred three of the New York city charter. The design, period of validity, and procedures for reissuance of such permits shall be as determined by the commissioner. A city, town or village issuing a permit pursuant to this subdivision or subdivision three of this section shall indelibly inscribe or otherwise mark, on the face of such permit, the last three digits of the identification number of the driver's license or non-driver identification card of the person to whom the permit is issued. The governing bodies of cities, towns and villages in the state shall appoint an issuing agent to issue such permits. Any person issued a permit pursuant to this section who holds a driver's license or non-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08959-01-9
S. 2965 2
driver identification card shall make the last three digits of such license or identification card available to an issuing agent at the time of permit issuance or renewal by presenting such license or identification card to such issuing agent. Any person issued a permit pursuant to this section who holds a driver's license or non-driver identification card shall carry and make available to a law enforcement officer upon demand, or as soon as practicable thereafter, his or her driver's license or non-driver identification card which shall be presumptive evidence of the validity of his or her special vehicle identification parking permit. Failure to make available such driver's license or nondriver identification card upon demand shall not be deemed a violation. The permits shall be issued to:
§ 2. Paragraph 15 of subdivision a of section 2903 of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new subparagraph (f) to read as follows:
(f) A special vehicle identification parking permit issued pursuant to this paragraph shall entitle any vehicle displaying such permit to park in any area in any city, town or village of the state which has been designated by such city, town or village or pursuant to the provisions of section twelve hundred three-c of the vehicle and traffic law as a place for parking for persons with disabilities as described in the opening paragraph of subdivision one of section twelve hundred three-a of the vehicle and traffic law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the New York city char- ter, in relation to permitted use of handicapped spaces in the city of New York
Purpose
This bill provides that vehicles with permits for handicapped parking issued anywhere in the state may use all spaces for handicapped parking in the city of New York. The bill also provides that handicapped parking permits issued by the City of New York will be valid outside of the City.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. The opening paragraph of subdivision 1 of section 1203-a of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 298 of the laws of 2007 is amended to entitle individuals who have parking permits which allow them to park in any designated parking spot for persons with disa- bilities, shall also be authorized to park in any authorized parking space for persons with disabilities in the city of New York.
Paragraph 15 of the New York City Charter is amended to allow New York City issued handicapped permits to be valid statewide, not just within the boundaries of New York City.
Justification
Current law does not permit individuals outside of New York City, who have special vehicle identification parking permits issued by the State, which allows them to park in spaces for persons with disabilities anywhere in the State, to also park in designated handicapped parking spaces in New York City.
Individuals who live and work in New York City are issued a special handicapped parking permit from New York City and affords them the abil- ity to park in additional designated handicapped spaces. This can create a real burden for handicapped individuals who do not live or work in New York City, but travel to and visit New York City frequently. Handicapped individuals from outside of New York City should be afforded the oppor- tunity to park in the same designated handicapped parking spaces as those handicapped individuals who live and work in New York City. Like- wise, permits issued by the City of New York should be honored State- wide. This legislation accomplishes both goals.
Legislative history
S.728 of 2015/16 S. 1312 of 2017/2018; Passed Senate
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.