SB32 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Motor vehicles, handicapped parking placards and parking space signs, disability further defined, restricting access to public transportation prohibited, use of bollards authorized, municipality authorized to deputize persons for issuing tickets, Secs. 32-6-231, 32-6-233.1 am'd. (2011-20106)
Summary: SB32 tightens handicapped parking rules by requiring mobility-impairing disability, adding photo placards and possible fees, restricting blocking access to transit, allowing deputized ticketing, and permitting bollards in access aisles.
What This Bill Does
The bill requires that individuals using handicapped parking have a physical disability that impedes mobility and may require a photo on the placard with a possible fee for the photo placard; long-term placards would expire after up to five years and may require physician recertification, while temporary placards last up to six months. It also prohibits parking in ways that block access to public transportation and allows bollards in the access aisle next to a handicapped space. Additionally, it lets municipalities deputize trained people to issue parking tickets for violations and sets fines and enforcement rules.

Who It Affects
People who use handicapped parking spaces: must have a physical disability that impedes mobility; placards may include a photo and may require recertification, with temporary placards valid up to six months.
Local governments, law enforcement, and property owners/managers: gain authority to deputize trained individuals to issue tickets for violations, enforce on private property, and manage fines and related funds; bollards may be installed in access aisles.

Key Provisions
Amends 32-6-231 to require a physical disability that impedes mobility for handicapped parking eligibility and to standardize removable windshield placards, including potential for photo placards and a possible fee set by the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue.
Long-term placards expire after up to five years and may require recertification by a licensed physician; temporary placards are valid up to six months.
Placards must conform to federal standards; non-conforming placards are not recognized.
Amends 32-6-233.1 to prohibit parking that restricts access to public transportation or blocks public bus stops, shelters, or access aisles, with escalating fines for violations (minimum $50 first offense, $200 second, $500 third or more) and required community service for the second or subsequent offenses.
Municipalities may deputize trained individuals to issue parking tickets for handicapped parking violations; enforcement may occur on private property and fines must be displayed on signs at the parking spaces.
Fines collected are distributed between local enforcement, the Administrative Office of Courts, and the Department of Mental Health for disability-related programs, with specific percentages depending on whether the violator is a local or state officer.
A bollard may be placed in the middle of the access aisle next to a handicapped space to prevent blocking, painted yellow and spaced to allow wheelchair access.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Motor Vehicles