Parking Privileges for Persons With Disabilities; Special Identification From Other Jurisdictions

Parking Privileges for Persons With Disabilities; Special Identification From Other Jurisdictions. (a) (1) Notwithstanding any other statutory provision, any person with a disability shall be allowed to park a vehicle displaying a special identification parking placard issued under 9 CMC § 5653 for unlimited periods in any parking zone, including metered parking, that is restricted as to the length of time parking is permitted, without charge or fee. (2) This section does not apply to any parking zone or space for which Commonwealth or local law absolutely prohibits stopping, parking or standing of all vehicles, or which the law reserves for special types of vehicles. (b) Any person with a disability shall be allowed to park a vehicle displaying a special identification placard or special identification license plate issued by a foreign jurisdiction with the same parking privileges authorized in this code for any vehicle displaying a special identification placard issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (c) Any vehicle displaying special license plates, a removable windshield placard, or a temporary removable windshield placard issued under this article shall be permitted to park without payment of metered parking fees, in any metered parking space for a maximum of two and a half (or eight considering regular work hours) hours or the maximum amount of time the meter allows, whichever is longer. All parking fees not specifically exempted under this article shall remain in effect. Source: PL 8-35, § 5 (§ 5651), modified; (a)(1) and (b) amended and (c) added by PL 17-65 § 2(a)(December 20, 2011), modified. Commission Comment: The Commission changed capitalization in this section pursuant to 1 CMC § 3806(f). Public Law 17-65 (effective December 20, 2011) was enacted “… to increase penalties for parking in spaces reserved for the use of persons with disabilities and to be consistent with the American Disabilities Act and guidelines …” PL 17-65 (introductory statement). Section 2 (a) of PL 17-65 provides “9 CMC § 5652 is hereby amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) …” The content of the section then only amends (a)(1) of subsection (a). Therefore, it appears that the Legislature did not intend to repeal (a)(2) so the Commission retained subsection (a)(2) as enacted by PL 835.