The 'Because Slashing Your Tires Would Be Counterproductive' Act of 2007

A BILL

To amend Chapter 89 of the General Laws of Massachusetts to provide that the obstruction of accessible routes shall carry a civil penalty.

Section 1: SHORT TITLE
This Act may be cited as the "Dude, If I Had a Nickel for Every Time ... Act of 2007".


Section 2: FINDINGS
The Massachusetts Legislature finds the following:

1. Coming up to a crosswalk and finding that it is blocked by a motor vehicle is irritating.
2. Crossing the street and discovering that the crosswalk on that side is blocked, but the light has changed, is dangerous.
3. People are idiots.
   

Section 3: OBSTRUCTION OF PATHWAYS
The Massachusetts General Law (Chapter 89) is amended by inserting after section 11 the following new section:

(a) Prohibited acts:
It shall be illegal for any motor vehicle to park or otherwise stop a car for any period of time in such a way that it obstructs a curb cut, ramp, handicapped parking place, elevator, or the ramp or lift of a motor vehicle adapted for the use of disabled persons. Building entrances shall also be covered by this part, when they are the only accessible entrance to said building within 200ft, or when the other accessible entrances within that range are similarly blocked. (Note: under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a temporarily broken or otherwise unusable entrance is not considered accessible.)

(b) Penalties:

1. An attended vehicle shall be subject to a fine of not less that 25 and not more than 100 dollars, at the discretion of the ticketing official.
2. An unattended vehicle shall be subject to a minimum fine of 125 or the fine for parking in a handicapped accessible parking place, whichever is greater.
3. The ticketing official may, at their discretion, require a court appearance by a repeat offender. In such a case, the fine shall be determined by the judge, not to exceed 1000 dollars.
4. Whining and excuses raise the fine by $10, not to exceed the maximum allowable fine.
5. All fines collected through the enforcement of this Act shall be placed in a fund described in (c).
   

(c) Accessibility Comes Concomitant to Enhanced Spending and Support (ACCESS) Fund

1. Monies collected as described in (b) shall placed in the ACCESS Fund, to be administered by the Massachusetts Office on Disabilities.
2. At least 50% of the contents of the ACCESS Fund shall be used to provide for better accessibility in Massachusetts. The remainder may be used to publicize this act and the motivations for it.
3. Included in (2) are infrastructure modifications, tax credits for private entities that improve accessibility, training, and services (including interpreting and other aid services).
   

Section 4: This Act shall go into effect January 1, 2008.

Hey, I can dream, can't I?