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West VirginiaSB 4672026 Regular SessionSenate

Allowing enforcement of Purple Heart parking spaces taken by non-Purple Heart recipients

Sponsored By: Laura Wakim Chapman (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§17C-13-6

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Stronger standards for accessible and Purple Heart parking

The law requires accessible parking to meet ADA rules for width, access aisles, striping, and sign height. Accessible spaces must be close to public buildings, public accommodations, and commercial sites and are reserved for people with mobility impairments and disabled veterans. Public and private locations may create Purple Heart spaces, marked in purple and signed, for vehicles showing a Purple Heart plate when a recipient is in the car. All accessible and Purple Heart signs must say “up to $500 fine.”

Higher fines and stronger parking enforcement

Parking in accessible or Purple Heart spaces without the right plate or placard is a misdemeanor: $200 for the first offense, $300 for the second, and $500 after that. Parking in access aisles is also banned with the same fines, even if you have a placard. Knowingly using special parking when not loading or unloading a person with a mobility impairment carries the same $200/$300/$500 fines. Making, using, or selling fake placards or IDs is a misdemeanor: $500 per fake placard or false certification and $700 per fake ID or label. Officers and parking staff can ticket and may cite by license plate number, and trained volunteers may document violations with photos. Localities that adopt the program keep fines and late fees, funding volunteer enforcement first; if they do not adopt it, fines go to the state. It is an absolute defense to a Purple Heart-space ticket if you prove you are a Purple Heart recipient.

Rules to get disability parking plates

The DMV issues up to two special plates or removable placards per eligible person, and to West Virginia groups that transport people with disabilities for loading and unloading. You must have a West Virginia medical provider certify your mobility impairment and say if it is temporary or permanent. Temporary placards last about six months; permanent placards last for life. Plates and placards expire on the last day of a month and are valid 1–5 years; renewals may use a sticker, and no new certificate is needed if a permanent-life certificate is on file within 10 years. You get an ID card and must carry it when you park in an accessible space. Placards are red (temporary) or blue (permanent); you can request one extra placard with the same end date and hang it from the rearview mirror. The vehicle must be Class A or Class G to qualify. West Virginia recognizes out-of-state accessible credentials and the state’s disabled veterans plate.

DMV outreach and rules to implement

The DMV gives applicants a document explaining the rights and penalties for plates and placards and shares the new rules statewide. The DMV also writes rules, through the normal process, to run the program day to day.

Meter and time breaks for disabled drivers

If your car shows a valid plate or placard, you may park without time limits in zones that have no time cap when you are loading or unloading a person with a mobility impairment. You do not have to pay a parking meter in an accessible space if you display a medical parking certification and the meter is not reachable while seated in a wheelchair or without walking more than 30 feet. Officers may not ticket you for an expired meter if you meet these rules, and the certification is strong proof if they do. Showing the certification letter swears you cannot reach the meter; false swearing can be penalized.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Laura Wakim Chapman

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 163 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 384)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 3/9/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 363)

Yes: 96 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/6/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 48)

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 3/17/2026

    3/17/2026Senate

  2. Approved by Governor 3/17/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  3. Approved by Governor 3/17/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  4. To Governor 3/11/2026

    3/11/2026Senate

  5. House Message received

    3/10/2026Senate

  6. Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 384)

    3/10/2026Senate

  7. Communicated to House

    3/10/2026Senate

  8. Completed legislative action

    3/10/2026Senate

  9. House received Senate message

    3/10/2026House

  10. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/9/2026House

  11. Read 3rd time

    3/9/2026House

  12. Amendment reported by the Clerk

    3/9/2026House

  13. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/9/2026House

  14. Read 3rd time

    3/9/2026House

  15. Passed House (Roll No. 363)

    3/9/2026House

  16. Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/9/2026House

  17. Communicated to Senate

    3/9/2026House

  18. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    3/6/2026House

  19. Read 2nd time

    3/6/2026House

  20. Amendments pending

    3/6/2026House

  21. On 1st reading, Special Calendar

    3/5/2026House

  22. Read 1st time

    3/5/2026House

  23. With amendment, do pass

    3/4/2026House

  24. Markup Discussion

    3/2/2026House

  25. House received Senate message

    2/9/2026House

Bill Text

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