Bill > HB48

This bill aims to improve the enforcement and design of accessible parking spaces in Delaware by introducing several key provisions. First, it clarifies definitions related to accessible parking, specifying what constitutes a vehicle being used by a person with a disability and an accessible parking space. The bill requires that all new or modified accessible parking spaces be designed in compliance with the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards and any applicable local building codes. Local county or municipal authorities must now issue permits for constructing or altering accessible parking spaces, and verify compliance through on-site inspections or documentation. The bill increases fines for violations, raising the first-offense penalty from $200 to $250 and subsequent offenses from $300 to $500, and introduces the possibility of community service. Additionally, the bill mandates that existing parking spaces must become compliant within five years, allows local governments to assess civil penalties up to $500 for violations, and requires that accessible parking space signs display the current maximum fines. The legislation also updates requirements for county and municipal governments to adopt regulations regarding accessible parking spaces, with the goal of creating more consistent and enforceable standards to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.