Senate Bill 94 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim MelsonSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Disabled parking; unauthorized use of designated disabled parking places further provided for, notification of death in certain circumstances required, electronic scanning system authorized

Summary

SB94 tightens disability parking rules, adds an electronic scanning system for placards, and updates placard and license plate requirements with new penalties and enforcement provisions.

What This Bill Does

It makes unauthorized use of designated disability parking spaces unlawful and establishes fines and community service for violations. It lets local and state law enforcement tow illegally parked vehicles and enforce violations on private property and in access aisles. It authorizes a Department of Revenue electronic scanning system to link placards to their holders, and it creates new Dynamic Accessibility Symbol placards and license plates with expiration rules, death notification requirements, and recertification options, plus funding provisions for enforcement and related programs.

Who It Affects

• Individuals with disabilities who hold or rely on disability placards or distinctive license plates, and drivers transporting them, who face new placard expiration rules, potential second placards, and death-notification requirements.
• Law enforcement agencies (local and state) and government entities (Department of Revenue, Administrative Office of Courts, Department of Mental Health) responsible for enforcing the rules, administrating placards/plates, and handling the associated funding and penalties.

Key Provisions

• Unlawful for a vehicle to park in a disability parking space unless the driver or passenger is a lawful holder of a distinctive long-term disability placard/plate or a temporary placard, or is transporting a placard holder.
• Offense penalties: first offense minimum $50 fine; second offense minimum $200; third or subsequent offense minimum $500; second/subsequent offenses require 40 hours of community service (either for a disability-focused nonprofit or other disability-sensitizing work).
• Enforcement authority includes local and state officers who may enforce on private property and may tow illegally parked vehicles; officers may verify placard status.
• Signs marking disability parking violations may display the fine amount for the first offense.
• Fines distribution: if a local officer issues the violation, 50% goes to the local agency fund and the remainder goes to a separate fund split 50% to the Administrative Office of Courts and 50% to the Department of Mental Health (Individual and Family Support Program). If a state officer issues the violation, 50% goes to the issuing agency, 25% to the AOC, and 25% to the Department of Mental Health.
• Placard and plate provisions include the creation of a Dynamic Accessibility Symbol on windshield placards and distinctive plates; placards may expire after up to five years and may require recertification; a second placard may be issued if no plate; temporary placards valid up to six months.
• Death-related rules require placards to expire one week after the disabled person’s death; executors must notify the Department of Revenue within probate or 90 days of death.
• Electronic scanning system to appear on placards as a scannable barcode/QR code linking to the holder’s name and placard status (active or expired); rules will govern appearance, access, and who may view the data.
• New rules for issuance and use of distinctive license plates for disability purposes, including eligibility documentation and where plates may be used; plates may bear the Dynamic Accessibility Symbol and are intended for vehicles owned or operated for the purpose of transporting disabled individuals.
• Section 2 and related provisions become effective on different dates: overall act effective October 1, 2026, with Section 2 taking effect October 1, 2028.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles & Traffic