2014 -- S 2117

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LC003332

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND

PRIVILEGES

     Introduced By: Senators Doyle, Gallo, and Cool Rumsey

     Date Introduced: January 21, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-28-7.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-28 entitled "Parking

Facilities and Privileges" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-28-7.1. Motor vehicle placards for group care facilities, government agencies,

nonprofit organizations, or companies serving people with disabilities. -- (a) Upon

application to the division of motor vehicles, any group care facility, government agency, non-

profit organizations, or company that provides services to persons with disabilities, including

without limitation visiting nurse associations or agencies employing nurses and therapists, shall

be issued one or more portable motor vehicle placards as described in section 31-28-7(a) and (b).

      (b) The applicant shall provide to the division of motor vehicles proof that the applicant

is a bona fide group care facility, government agency, non-profit organization or company

providing services to persons with disabilities as defined in section 31-28-7(h).

      (c) The division of motor vehicles shall not issue more than ten (10) placards to any one

facility. The number of placards to be issued shall be determined by the division of motor

vehicles based upon the number of persons served by the facility and the frequency with which

the staff of the facility must transport the clients or patients of the facility.

      (d) The placards shall be used only by agents or employees of the facility and only when

transporting or visiting persons with disabilities who are clients or patients of the facility. The

placard is to be hung from the rear view mirror so as to be seen through the front and rear

windshield of the motor vehicle, and when so displayed shall exempt the driver from any parking

fees or fines of whatever sort or description.

      (e) A person other than an agent or employee of the facility to which the placard was

issued, or an agent or employee of the facility not engaged in transporting or visiting clients or

patients of the facility, who uses the parking privilege placards for his or her own purposes, shall

be fined one hundred and twenty-five dollars ($125) for each violation. A facility that allows the

unauthorized use of the placards may be subject to revocation of the use of the placard by the

division of motor vehicles.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND

PRIVILEGES

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     This act would allow visiting nurse associations or agencies employing nurses and

therapists that provide services to persons with disabilities to be issued one or more portable

motor vehicle placards. The placards would only be used by agents or employees of the facility

and only when transporting or visiting persons with disabilities. The placard user would be

exempt from parking fines or fees when the placard is displayed through the windshield of a

motor vehicle.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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