AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 9, 21, AND 22 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES.

Plain English Breakdown

The exact penalties and enforcement details are left to local governments.

Improving Accessible Parking Spaces in Delaware

This act updates rules for accessible parking spaces to better meet the needs of people with disabilities, requires permits and inspections, sets fines for violations, and mandates local governments to follow these new requirements.

What This Bill Does

• Adds provisions to Title 21 to regulate, define, and enforce accessible parking spaces in Delaware.
• Expands design and construction rules required by the Americans with Disabilities Act to better reflect the needs of people with disabilities.
• Requires a permit from local county or municipal authority for constructing or altering accessible parking spaces.
• Allows local governments to assess civil penalties up to $500 on individuals or entities that do not comply with the design and construction requirements.
• Increases fines for unlawfully occupying an accessible parking space, allowing community service instead of imprisonment.

Who It Names or Affects

• People with disabilities
• Property owners and businesses needing to build or change accessible parking spaces
• Local governments responsible for issuing permits and enforcing rules

Terms To Know

Accessible Parking Spaces

Parking spots designed specifically for people with disabilities, often marked with a wheelchair symbol.

Civil Penalty

A fine imposed by the government for breaking certain laws or rules.

Limits and Unknowns

• The exact penalties and enforcement details are left to local governments.
• It is not clear when all parts of this act will be fully implemented.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 9, 21, AND 22 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES.
This Act adds provisions to Title 21 to better regulate, define, and enforce accessible parking spaces in Delaware. This Act expands on those design and construction rules required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and its implementing regulations, to provide additional requirements that enhance these standards and better reflect the needs of persons with disabilities in Delaware. When constructing or altering accessible parking spaces, this Act requires that a permit be issued by the local county or municipal authority to ensure that accessible parking spaces are compliant with these new requirements. This Act permits a county or municipal government to assess a civil penalty of up to $500 on an individual or entity that does not comply with the design and construction requirements of this Act. This Act also increases the fine for unlawfully occupying an accessible parking space. Rather than imprisonment, the penalty for unlawfully occupying an accessible parking space may include community service. This Act adds provisions in Titles 9 and 22 to require county and municipal governments to adopt regulations and ordinances incorporating Title 21’s new accessible parking space requirements, including the requirement that property owners obtain a permit and that the permitting agency verify that the new or modified accessible parking spaces is compliant with the law.