Texas Senate Bill SB870

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the enforcement of parking privileges for people with disabilities; authorizing a fee.

Impact

The passage of SB870 is expected to create more lenient handling of minor errors related to disabled parking, promoting education over punishment. It introduces a system where courts can defer judgments allowing individuals to complete a required course, which can facilitate better compliance with parking regulations among the public. If implemented, this bill could potentially reduce the number of repeat offenses associated with disabled parking and encourage more considerate use of shared public spaces in adherence to disability laws.

Summary

Senate Bill 870 aims to enhance the enforcement of parking privileges specifically for individuals with disabilities. The bill introduces procedures regarding the dismissal of charges associated with violations of disabled parking laws. It allows judges to mandate the completion of an approved disabled parking course instead of imposing penalties, provided that certain conditions are met, such as previous course completion within a specified timeframe. This approach seeks to educate offenders rather than merely penalize them, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of disabled parking regulations.

Contention

While SB870 is primarily viewed as a beneficial move toward inclusivity and education, there are concerns about the potential financial impacts on municipalities. The bill allows courts to charge an administrative fee of up to $10 for the processing of requests to take the educational courses. Critics may argue that this creates another burden, especially for low-income individuals who may face financial constraints, thereby potentially undermining the bill's intended objective of accessibility. Furthermore, the requirement of course completion within set timeframes introduces the risk that non-compliance could still lead to adverse outcomes such as fines or further legal repercussions.