CONCORD–Assembly Member Mark DeSaulnier and constituent Alisa Rosillo of Concord gathered with advocates for disabled rights to herald the passage and signature of Assembly Bill 1531.

Ms. Rosillo submitted the legislative proposal as a part of Assembly Member DeSaulnier’s annual, “There Ought to Be a Law Contest.” She suggested that the disabled community and their caregivers would have greater mobility in the communities in which they live if changes were made to strengthen penalties for unlawfully using disabled parking.

 “Ms. Rosillo answered our call for submissions and brought our attention to a bonifide deficiency in the law. The contest allowed Ms. Rosillo to see her and her children’s needs directly met by the workings of State government. This contest is all about empowering citizens, and this inagural effort was a tremendous success,” said Assembly Member DeSaulnier.

Evidence from within the Bay Area shows that local governments are having difficulty collecting revenue from parking meters, in part due to the proliferation of disabled placards.  AB 1531 would increase the fines for those who repeatedly use disabled parking spaces unlawfully.  The law would also limit the maximum consecutive number of times a person could renew a temporary disability placard to six. 

To avoid a burden to local governments and other entities, changes to signs and to painting would only be required for parking spaces constructed on or after July 1, 2008, or, importantly, to replacement signs and to painting on or after July 1, 2008.

Also with today’s press conference, Assembly Member DeSaulnier opened the submission period for his 2008 “There Ought to Be a Law Contest.” Forms, Deadlines, and details can be found at www.assembly.ca.gov/desaulnier.