(a)For purposes of this section:
(1)“Accessible parking space” means any parking space or parking zone designated by an owner or lessee of any public or private property for use by a vehicle being used by a person with a disability.
(2)“Vehicle being used by a person with a disability” means a vehicle that meets both of the following criteria:
a. Displays a valid special license plate issued pursuant to § 2134 of this title on the rear of the vehicle, or that displays a valid parking placard issued pursuant to § 2135 of this title on the front windshield rearview mirror of the vehicle or, if there is no mirror, on the dashboard, or that displays a valid plate, placard or other item issued under a similar statute in another state or country.
b. The person for whom the plate or placar
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(a) For purposes of this section:
(1) “Accessible parking space” means any parking space or parking zone designated by an owner or lessee of any public or private property for use by a vehicle being used by a person with a disability.
(2) “Vehicle being used by a person with a disability” means a vehicle that meets both of the following criteria:
a. Displays a valid special license plate issued pursuant to § 2134 of this title on the rear of the vehicle, or that displays a valid parking placard issued pursuant to § 2135 of this title on the front windshield rearview mirror of the vehicle or, if there is no mirror, on the dashboard, or that displays a valid plate, placard or other item issued under a similar statute in another state or country.
b. The person for whom the plate or placard is issued is either the operator or a passenger or, in the case of an organization, in which a person who is entitled to obtain a permanent or temporary placard is a passenger.
(b) With the exception of a vehicle being used by a person with a disability, it is unlawful to park on public or private property any vehicle in any area that is designated as an accessible parking space.
(c) Upon the discovery on private property of a vehicle, other than a vehicle being used by a person with a disability, in an accessible parking space, the owner or lessee of the private property may cause the illegally parked vehicle to be removed to a private storage area maintained for the safe storage of vehicles. Any costs of removal and storage must be borne by the owner or operator of the vehicle. Upon the discovery of a vehicle illegally parked in an accessible parking space that is under the control of the Department of Transportation or local authorities, the State Police, county police, or municipal police having jurisdiction may cause the illegally parked vehicle to be removed to a private storage area maintained for the safe storage of vehicles. Any costs of removal and storage must be borne by the owner or operator of the vehicle.
(d) In addition to unlawful parking on public or private property in an accessible parking space, all of the following acts are prohibited on both public and private property and may be enforced pursuant to this section:
(1) Creating or using a counterfeit license plate or parking placard, as described in § 2134 or § 2135 of this title.
(2) Altering a license plate or parking placard issued pursuant to § 2134 or § 2135 of this title.
(3) Parking on a striped area or access aisle within or adjacent to an accessible parking space.
(4) Being the person or organization to whom a license plate or parking placard has been issued pursuant to § 2134 or § 2135 of this title, allowing another to use the plate or placard.
(5) Parking a vehicle with a license plate or placard issued pursuant to § 2134 or § 2135 of this title in an accessible parking space, unless a person on whose behalf a special license plate or placard has been issued is being transported.
(e) A uniform parking summons may be attached to an unattended vehicle found in violation of this section by a person authorized to issue a summons for a violation of this section. It is prima facie evidence that the person or organization in whose name the unattended vehicle is registered is responsible for the violation. The owner or operator of the unattended vehicle may mail or deliver the summons and the designated fine and costs directly to the court identified on the summons instead of appearing before the court for arraignment on the charge, provided that the owner or operator self identifies and that the summons and fine and costs are received by the court at least 2 days before the arraignment date designated on the summons.
(f) (1) A person or organization who violates this section must receive a mandatory fine of $250 for a first offense, and for a subsequent like offense, a mandatory fine of $500 or a term of community service.
(2) In addition, a person or organization who holds a valid special license plate or parking placard issued under § 2134 or § 2135 of this title and who violates paragraph (d)(1), (2), or (4) of this section may receive an additional penalty of up to a 6-month suspension or the permanent revocation of the plate or placard. If a plate is suspended or revoked under this subsection, the person may apply for and be issued a regular license plate.
(3) Minor variations of accessible parking space features, including the absence of a sign, are not a defense to prosecution under this section if the space is otherwise conspicuously marked.
(g) The Superintendent of the State Police is authorized to appoint State Police Academy cadets to enforce this section within the unincorporated areas of each county. Cadets appointed pursuant to this subsection must be at least 18 years of age. The Superintendent may establish other qualifications considered necessary or desirable.
(h) A summons issued by a cadet appointed by the Superintendent pursuant to subsection (f) of this section has the same force and effect as a summons issued by the State Police.
(i) Fines collected from summonses issued by the State Police or by cadets appointed pursuant to subsection (f) of this section must be deposited into the General Fund.
(j) The authority of the State Police or a cadet appointed by the Superintendent to enforce this section is not limited by any jurisdictional agreement between the State Police and any local law-enforcement agency.