SENATE, No. 1860

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MARCH 3, 1997

By Senator CARDINALE

An Act concerning parking spaces for handicapped motorists and supplementing chapter 4 of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. No concrete or other barrier shall be installed in or adjacent to a special parking space for the use of persons who have been issued a placard or wheelchair symbol license plates pursuant to P.L.1949, c.280 (C.39:4-204 et seq.), except for barriers to prevent vehicles parking in such spaces from rolling forward or barriers at the curb of adjacent roadways to facilitate the safe passage of vehicular traffic. No concrete or other barriers which obstruct the movement of handicapped persons in entering or leaving motor vehicles parking in such spaces shall be permitted.

    2. Any concrete or other barrier installed prior to the effective date of this act which is in violation of this act shall be removed by the person owning or controlling the parking area in which such barrier is located no later than six months after the effective date of this act.

    3. A person who violates this act shall be liable for a penalty of not less than $200 nor more than $500, imprisonment for a term not to exceed 15 days, or both.

    4. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill provides that no concrete or other barrier shall be installed in or adjacent to a special parking space for handicapped persons, except for barriers at the head of the parking space and curb side barriers. In no event shall a barrier obstruct the movement of handicapped persons in entering or leaving motor vehicles parked in such spaces. Barriers installed before the effective date of this bill which are in violation of its provisions are to be removed within six months.

    This bill addresses the situation in which planters and other barriers are installed adjacent to handicapped parking spaces and prevent handicapped persons from entering or leaving handicapped vans via wheelchairs.

Prohibits installation of barriers adjacent to handicapped parking spaces.