A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide free parking in government owned parking lots for handicapped individuals displaying a proper handicap license plate or placard.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 160A‑301 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(f)	Any person who displays a valid distinguishing registration plate issued pursuant to G.S. 20‑37.6(b) or a valid distinguishing placard issued pursuant to G.S. 20‑37.6(c) shall not be required to pay any fee to park in an on- or off‑street parking space owned, leased, or operated by a unit of local government."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 20‑37.6(a) is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(a)	General Parking. – Any vehicle that is driven by or is transporting a person who is handicapped and that displays a distinguishing license plate, a removable windshield placard, or a temporary removable windshield placard may be parked for unlimited periods in parking zones restricted as to the length of time parking is permitted. This provision has no application to those zones or during times in which the stopping, parking, or standing of all vehicles is prohibited or which are reserved for special types of vehicles. Any qualifying vehicle may park in spaces designated as restricted to vehicles driven by or transporting the handicapped. Any person who displays a valid distinguishing registration plate issued pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or a valid distinguishing placard issued pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall not be required to pay any fee to park in an on- or off‑street parking space owned, leased, or operated by the State of North Carolina.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2008.