§ 14-253c — Accessible Parking Advisory Council.

(a) There is established an Accessible Parking Advisory Council, which shall be within the Department of Motor Vehicles for administrative purposes only. The advisory board shall: (1) Develop a strategy to detect, deter and prevent fraud and misuse from occurring with regard to the issuance and use of removable windshield placards for persons who are blind and persons with disabilities from occurring without adversely impacting persons who are blind and persons with disabilities, (2) review the laws in other states concerning the issuance and use of such removable windshield placards, (3) recommend best practices for policies and regulations regarding the application for, and issuance and use of, removable windshield placards and the enforcement of subsection (l) of section 14-253a, (4) identify and make recommendations regarding streetscape issues that interfere with the ability of a person who is blind or person with disabilities to access and use public and private areas reserved for exclusive use by persons who are blind or persons with disabilities, (5) make educational materials available to medical professionals, law enforcement officers and the general public regarding the proper issuance and use of such removable windshield placards, and (6) review the status of such removable windshield placards issued to persons who are blind and persons with disabilities prior to January 1, 2010, for the lifetime of such persons. (b) The advisory council shall consist of (1) the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or the commissioner's designee, (2) the Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services or the commissioner's designee, (3) two members appointed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, who are licensed physicians, physician assistants or advanced practice registered nurses who certify applications for removable windshield placards while in the course of employment, (4) one member appointed by the Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services who represents an organization that advocates on behalf of persons with physical disabilities, (5) one appointed by the House chairperson of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, (6) one appointed by the Senate chairperson of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, who uses accessible parking or advocates on behalf of such users, (7) one appointed by the House ranking member of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, who uses accessible parking or advocates on behalf of such users, (8) one appointed by the Senate ranking member of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, who is a sworn member of a municipal police department, and (9) and such other members as the advisory council may prescribe. All initial appointments to the advisory council shall be made not later than September 1, 2023. Each member appointed pursuant to subdivisions (3) to (9), inclusive, of this subsection shall serve for a term of two years and may serve until such member's successor is appointed. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or the commissioner's designee, shall serve as chairperson of the advisory council. The advisory council shall meet at such times as it deems necessary and may establish rules governing its internal procedures. (c) Not later than January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the advisory council shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a , regarding the strategy developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the findings of the advisory council and any recommendations for legislation to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation. See Sec. 4-38f for definition of “administrative purposes only”.

Legislative History

(P.A. 23-40, S. 36; P.A. 24-20, S. 45.) History: P.A. 23-40 effective June 12, 2023; P.A. 24-20 amended Subsec. (b) to delete reference to municipality planner in Subdiv. (5) and made technical changes, effective May 21, 2024.