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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to accessible parking spaces; amending s.

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553.5041, F.S.; providing for reservation of accessible

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parking spaces for persons who require extra space to exit

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from or enter a motor vehicle; requiring signage;

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requiring specific markings; providing a penalty;

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providing an effective date.

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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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     Section 1.  Subsection (7) is added to section 553.5041,

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Florida Statutes, to read:

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     553.5041  Parking spaces for persons who have  

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disabilities.--

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     (7)(a)1. If a facility has five or more accessible parking

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spaces pursuant to this section, at least 20 percent of such

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parking spaces must be reserved for the temporary exclusive use

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of persons who have disabled parking permits; who occupy a van or

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other vehicle having an attached device to load or unload a

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wheelchair; and who require extra space to deploy the mobility

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device, lift, ramp, or other device to exit from or enter such

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vehicle.

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     2. In addition to any other signage requirements under this

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section or ADAAG s. 4.30, such spaces must be posted with a

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yellow sign that bears a wheelchair emblem and words stating

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"VANS OR VEHICLES WITH ATTACHED WHEELCHAIR DEVICES" and stating

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the penalty for illegal use of the space.

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     3. The spaces must be marked to allow for entry and exit

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from the passenger side of the vehicles.

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     (b) A person without a disabled parking permit who parks in

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a space in violation of paragraph (a) is subject to a fine of

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$250.

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     Section 2.  This act shall take effect October 1, 2008.