The House of Representatives has already passed the bill, which repeals existing law on disabled parking space and increases penalties for taking over these spots be it in public or private areas.
“The purpose of House Bill 16-8 is to clearly define the requirements for disabled access to public and private establishments and to provide for better enforcement and stronger penalties for [violators],” said Rep. Stanley T. Torres, R-Saipan and the sponsor of the measure, which is expected to get the Senate’s support as well.
The House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations, in a report, said although easy access to public and private establishments are encouraged to be designated for the benefit of people with disabilities, the law is not being enforced.
The committee said marks for disabled parking in many public and private areas are no longer noticeable.
There are also reports of abuse by some motorists who occupy such spaces.
“It has also been reported that disabled persons’ parking privileges have been abused by family members utilizing the designated parking areas although the disabled person is not in the vehicle,” the panel reported.
It added: “There are even more disturbing reports of occurrences where motorists simply do not respect and acknowledge the intention of the designated parking areas and park their vehicles in those designated spaces.”
If H.B. 16-8 becomes law, government agencies and business establishments will be required to make disabled parking spaces visible by marking them with signs and paints.
A government agency found violating this rule will have its budgetary allowance withheld.
A business establishment found guilty of the same offense will pay a $100 fine per day of violation.
Half of fines collected from the proposed measure will be deposited in the Disabled Parking Enforcement Revolving Fund which will be available for the use of the Department of Public Safety for its projects.
Although additional costs in enforcing the measure are seen, Torres said it will be defrayed through fines collected from violators.
