Feb. 11, 2020

 

                                               

Senate passes Lombardi legislation to tow cars illegally parked in handicapped parking spaces

 

STATE HOUSE — The Senate today passed legislation introduced by Sen. Frank S. Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) that would mandate the towing of cars that are illegally parked in handicapped parking spaces.

The bill (2020-S 2090) specifies that any vehicle parked illegally in a properly marked handicapped space would be towed at the owner’s expense.

“Parking illegally in a handicapped space is one of the most unconscionable of petty crimes,” said Senator Lombardi. “Most of us have witnessed this happening at one time or another. It’s infuriating and frustrating. This legislation would direct law enforcement to have the vehicle towed in addition to citing the vehicle’s owner with a fine.”

The bill would amend the existing law, which calls for a $100 fine for a first violation, a $175 fine for a second violation, and a $325 fine for a third or subsequent violation.

It also specifies that the parking spaces must be properly marked with a blue-and-white international symbol of access sign with the words “Handicapped Parking,” “Disability Parking,” “Disabled Parking,” or “Reserved Parking.”

The measure now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

 

 

 

-30-

 

For an electronic version of this and all press releases published by the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau, please visit our Web site at www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Israel has launched a retaliatory strike against Iran. U.S. officials confirm missiles have struck a number of locations inside Iran, with several explosions reported near an airbase in the city of Isfahan, home to a number of sites linked to Iran's nuclear program. The International Atomic Energy Agency says it can confirm that none of the sites sustained any damage.        Oil prices surged three dollars a barrel overnight after Israel's attack before easing a bit. Concerns over the potential disruption of Middle East oil was behind the jump. Israel's actions were in retaliation for an Iranian attack on Israel last weekend, itself a retaliation for an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria.       Lawyers in the Donald Trump "hush money" trial are hoping to wrap up jury selection today by selecting six alternates. A 12-member jury is already chosen for the New York trial, which could begin Monday. The former president is accused of falsifying records to cover up a "hush money" payment to an adult film star before he was elected in 2016.        Taylor Swift is releasing a second installment to her new album, "The Tortured Poets Department." The highly-anticipated new album dropped at midnight, featuring 16 songs including the first single, "Fortnite." Shortly after 2am Eastern, Swift announced that it was actually a "secret double album," and released 15 more songs.       The FAA is investigating a near-miss on a runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport outside Washington, DC. It happened Thursday morning when a plane crossed the runway as another was starting its take off. The planes - one a Southwest flight, the other JetBlue - were reportedly just 300 feet away from each other.       Prince William is returning to public duties for the first time since his wife's cancer diagnosis. On Thursday, he visited a food charity and youth center. William has been absent from official engagements ever since Kate Middleton revealed last month that she was undergoing chemotherapy. The Princess of Wales will reportedly return to public duties once her medical team gives her the okay.