Texas Senate Bill SB2157

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to parking privileges for people with disabilities; authorizing a fee; amending dismissal procedures for a criminal offense.

Impact

With the passage of SB2157, state laws concerning the enforcement and processing of disabled parking violations will see significant changes. Courts will have the authority to defer judgment and dismiss charges if the defendant successfully completes a designated course within a specified timeframe. This aims to promote compliance and ensure that individuals understand their rights and responsibilities associated with disabled parking. Additionally, portions of the collected parking violation fines will be redirected towards educational programs that enhance community awareness regarding parking for people with disabilities.

Summary

SB2157 aims to revise parking privileges for individuals with disabilities by modifying related dismissal procedures for certain offenses. The bill expressly includes provisions that allow defendants charged with offenses related to disabled parking to potentially have their charges dismissed upon completion of an approved disabled parking course. The legislation emphasizes the importance of education regarding the proper usage of placards and the laws governing parking for individuals with disabilities.

Contention

While proponents of SB2157 regard it as a positive shift towards increased awareness and compliance, there could be contention surrounding the administrative fee for enrolling in the disabled parking course, which is capped at $10. Critics may argue that even a small fee could be a burden for some individuals. Furthermore, discussions could arise concerning the implementation of the educational components and how effectively local jurisdictions will be able to administer and publicize these programs.