TITLE: Relating to parking fees charged by public institutions of higher education to persons with disabilities.

SUMMARY: Relating to parking fees charged by public institutions of higher education to persons with disabilities.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to parking fees charged by public institutions of higher education to persons with disabilities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 681.007, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: PARKING PRIVILEGES: VEHICLES DISPLAYING INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL OF ACCESS. (a) A vehicle may be parked and is exempt from the payment of a fee or penalty in the same manner as a vehicle that has displayed on the vehicle special license plates issued under Section 504.201 or a disabled parking placard as provided by Section 681.006 if there is displayed on the vehicle a license plate or placard that: (1) bears the international symbol of access; and (2) is issued by a state or by a state or province of a foreign country to the owner or operator of the vehicle for the transportation of a person with a disability. (a-1) A vehicle described by Subsection (a) may be parked for an unlimited period in a parking space or area that is designated specifically for persons with physical disabilities on the property of an institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, regardless of whether a permit is generally required for the use of the space or area. An institution of higher education may require a vehicle described by Subsection (a) to display a parking permit issued by the institution specifically for the purpose of implementing this subsection, but may not charge a fee for the permit. This subsection does not entitle a person to park a vehicle described by Subsection (a) in a parking space or area that has not been designated specifically for persons with physical disabilities on the property of the institution if the vehicle has not been granted or assigned a parking permit required by the institution. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.