Legislative intent.
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the New York
State penalty for parking illegally in handicapped parking spaces,
currently $50 to $75 for a first offense, and $75 to $150 for subsequent
violations, is not enough of a deterrent to prevent drivers from parking
in handicapped parking spaces.
This Legislature also finds and determines that the supplemental
county fines of $50 for a first offense and $50 for subsequent offenses
are not enough of an additional penalty to prevent drivers from parking
in handicapped parking spaces.
This Legislature further finds and determines that illegal parking
in handicapped parking spaces prevents handicapped people, who need
to park in spaces close to the facility they are visiting, from doing
so.
Therefore, the purpose of this law is to increase the supplemental
county fines for illegally parking in parking spaces designated for
handicapped drivers or passengers as a more effective deterrent against
illegal parking in such spaces.