ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1913

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: FEBRUARY 3, 1997

The Assembly Community Services Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No.1913.

      As amended by committee, this bill addresses a dilemma faced by handicapped motorists who use the parking lots of shopping centers and other facilities. Under State law, these persons may obtain special license plates or placards which entitle them to use designated reserved parking places in these lots. However, these reserved parking spaces and curb cuts and other improvements designed to provide accessibility for handicapped persons often are made inaccessible by obstructions such as snow that has been plowed from the parking lot. This obstruction poses a hardship for handicapped motorists and negates the purpose of the law granting them special parking privileges.

      As amended, the bill makes the person who owns or controls a parking area responsible for assuring parking spaces reserved for handicapped motorists and curb cuts and other improvements designed to provide accessibility are not obstructed. If the obstruction is ice or snow, it must be removed from the parking space, curb cut or other improvement within 24 hours after inclement weather has ended. A violator of this provision would be subject to a penalty of not less than $200 or more than $500, imprisonment for a term not to exceed 15 days, or both.

      As introduced, the bill required the removal of only snow and ice from the special parking spaces. The committee amended the bill to also require removal of any obstruction from curb cuts and other improvements designed to provide accessibility for the handicapped. The committee amendments also provide the time limitation for the removal of snow and ice.

      This bill is identical to Senate Bill No. 504 (1R) which was released by this committee on this date.