H3880 • 2025

An Act relative to courtesy retail parking spaces designed for non-handicapped veterans

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: Adam J. Scanlon
Last action: 2026-06-01
Official status: Accompanied a study order, see H5466 (under House Rule 27)
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary text does not provide specific details on how many cities and towns will implement these provisions, leaving some uncertainty in that area.

Parking Spaces for Veterans

This act allows cities and towns in Massachusetts to create special parking spots for veterans with veteran license plates.

What This Bill Does

Municipalities can set aside parking spaces for veterans with veteran license plates in large retail lots or garages.
Up to two spaces can be reserved in lots with over one thousand spots; additional spaces are allowed based on the size of the lot.
Signs must be put up saying 'Veteran Parking Only— this space is reserved for those who have served. Unauthorized Vehicles May Be Removed At The Vehicle Owner's Expense'.
Violators can be fined $100 and their cars may be towed at their expense.

Who It Names or Affects

Veterans who own a car and have a veteran license plate
Cities and towns in Massachusetts that choose to create these special parking spots

Terms To Know

veteran registration plate: A special license plate for cars owned by veterans.
Chief Executive Officer: The top official in charge of a city or town who helps make sure the parking spaces are set up correctly.

Limits and Unknowns

It is not clear how many cities and towns will choose to create these special parking spots.
This act has been referred for a study order, so it may change or be delayed.

Bill History

2026-06-01 House
Accompanied a study order, see H5466 (under House Rule 27)
2025-07-16 Joint
Hearing scheduled for 07/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
2025-02-27 House
Referred to the committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
2025-02-27 Senate
Senate concurred
House
Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order

Official Summary Text

An Act relative to courtesy retail parking spaces designed for non-handicapped veterans
By Representative Scanlon of North Attleborough, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3880) of Adam J. Scanlon that cities and towns be authorized to provide courtesy retail parking spaces designed for non-handicapped veterans. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Bill H.3880

Chapter 40 of the General is hereby amended by inserting after section 22A3/4 the following section:-

Section 22A5/6. (a) A municipality may designate a parking space in off street parking lots, large retail parking lots and parking garages for the parking veteran in a motor vehicle that is owned and operated by the veteran and that displays a veteran registration plate issued pursuant to section 2 of chapter 90. The municipality shall be permitted to reserve not more than two parking spaces in parking lots with more than one thousand parking spaces. Municipalities shall also be permitted to reserve not more than two additional spaces for every additional five hundred parking spaces in a parking lot. The municipality shall erect and maintain a sign designating such a parking space that shall bear the words ''Veteran Parking Only— this space is reserved for those who have served. Unauthorized Vehicles May Be Removed At The Vehicle Owner's Expense''.

(b) A violation of subsection (a) shall be punished by a fine of $100 and the city or town may provide for the removal of a vehicle in the manner provided in section 22D. The penalty shall not be a surchargeable offense under section 113B of chapter 175.

(c) The Chief Executive Officer, as defined in section 2 of Chapter 21D of the General Laws, shall work with the owning or managing party of eligible parking lots and garages pursuant to subsection (a) for the purposes of carrying out subsection (a).

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

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