Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
COMMITTEE REPORT
May 2, 2001
S. 616
S. Printed 5/2/01--S.
Read the first time April 24, 2001.
To whom was referred a Bill (S. 616) to amend Section 56-3-1960, as amended, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to free parking for handicapped persons, and the issuance of handicapped parking, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
ADDISON G. WILSON for Committee.
TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-1960, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FREE PARKING FOR HANDICAPPED PERSONS, AND THE ISSUANCE OF HANDICAPPED PARKING DISPLAY PLACARDS TO AN AGENCY, ORGANIZATION, OR FACILITY THAT TRANSPORTS A DISABLED OR HANDICAPPED PERSON OR TO A HANDICAPPED PERSON, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT HANDICAPPED PARKING DISPLAY PLACARDS ALSO MAY BE ISSUED TO A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL WHO TRANSPORTS A DISABLED OR HANDICAPPED PERSON.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 56-3-1960(2), as last amended by Act 181 of 1993, is further amended to read:
"(2) An agency, organization, private individual, or facility that transports a disabled or handicapped person or any a person who is handicapped as defined in this article may apply to the department for issuance of a temporary or permanent distinguishing placard to be designed by the department. The department, if necessary, may design another distinguishing placard for an agency, organization, private individual, or facility that is eligible for a placard,. However, all placards must be at least three inches by nine and one-half inches in size and must hang from the rearview mirror of a vehicle or be displayed on the driver's side dashboard when there is no hanging apparatus. The placard must be used on vehicles transporting the disabled person in lieu of the distinguishing license plate issued pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. When the placard is displayed on the driver's side dashboard of a vehicle, all parking rights and privileges extended to vehicles displaying a distinguishing license plate issued pursuant to subsection (1) of this section are applicable to the vehicle. The department shall establish procedures for the issuance of distinguishing placards, and the procedures shall permit applicants to apply by mail. Each application must be accompanied by a certificate from a licensed physician as defined in Section 40-47-5 that the applicant is handicapped as defined in this article, except that a physician's certificate is not required for applications by an agency, organization, private individual, or facility which must include sufficient documentation as may be prescribed by the department that the applying agency, organization, private individual, or facility transports handicapped or disabled persons. The physician shall state on the certificate whether the applicant is handicapped temporarily or permanently. If the applicant is temporarily handicapped, the physician shall state the length of time for which the applicant is temporarily handicapped. A placard issued for a temporary disability is valid only for the anticipated length of time of the disability specified by the physician in the certificate. No An applicant may not be denied a placard if the applicant follows the procedures established by the department and if the completed application is accompanied by a certificate from a licensed physician as defined in Section 40-47-5, as required by this subsection. The department shall charge a fee of one dollar a placard and may issue two placards to an individual applicant upon request. An agency, organization, private individual, or facility may receive a placard for each vehicle registered upon payment of the appropriate fees.
The permanent placards may be issued and renewed only for a maximum period of four years renewable on the owner's birth date; however, placards issued to an agency, organization, or facility must be renewed every four years. The placards must be of a color as determined by the department which is easily recognizable by law enforcement personnel. The placard shall indicate on its face when it expires."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 2:27 P.M.