ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 34

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION

By Assemblywoman FARRAGHER

An Assembly Resolution memorializing the Congress of the United States to enact legislation providing for state reciprocity in the recognition of parking privileges for the handicapped.

Whereas, The federal and state governments of this nation have as a matter of public policy recognized the right of handicapped citizens to function with dignity as independent, self-sufficient and productive members of our society; and

Whereas, In furtherance of this enlightened and humane policy, state and local governments have enacted laws and ordinances to designate convenient parking spaces for the exclusive use of motor vehicles driven or used by handicapped persons; and

Whereas, Handicapped persons who have been certified under the motor vehicle laws as eligible to use these special parking privileges in one state frequently are required to drive their vehicles, for reasons of business or pleasure, to other states where they are not so certified; and

Whereas, New Jersey Public Law 1986, chapter 25, guarantees handicapped persons with wheelchair symbol license plates or other appropriate permits issued in other states the right to park their vehicles in spaces reserved for handicapped residents anywhere in this State; and

Whereas, Many other states and their local governments do not similarly grant reciprocal parking privileges, thereby creating undue economic, physical and psychic hardships for handicapped drivers resident in New Jersey and other states; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. That this House, in affirming the right of handicapped drivers to travel independently across state borders and to park in locations convenient to their intended destinations, hereby urges the New Jersey Congressional delegation and all members of the United States Congress to support and vote for legislation to require all states and their respective political subdivisions to recognize and honor the duly authorized parking privileges granted to handicapped persons resident in any other state or political subdivision.

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker and attested by the Clerk, shall be transmitted to the Vice President of the United States and the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and to each of the members of Congress elected from this State.

STATEMENT

    This Assembly resolution urges the New Jersey Congressional delegation and all the members of the United States Congress to support legislation that would require all states and their political subdivisions to practice reciprocity with respect to parking privileges of handicapped persons.

Urges federal law establishing reciprocity for handicapped parking privileges.