The Los Angeles City Council moved forward Tuesday with a plan to add a monetary civil penalty for anyone caught misusing a disabled parking placard.
The City Council adopted a resolution in 2013 prohibiting the use of a disabled parking placard or special license plate that -- according to DMV records -- had been lost, stolen, surrendered, canceled, revoked or expired, or was issued to a person who has been deceased for more than 60 days. The resolution also prohibited the use of a disabled placard or special license plate when not transporting the individual to whom the placard or license plate was issued.
However, the resolution did not provide for a monetary penalty for violating thee prohibitions. The council voted 14-0 to impose a monetary penalty of not less than $250 or more than $1,000 on an individual who misuses a disabled parking placard or special license plate. State law also imposes an additional 10 percent of the penalty, which is deposited with the city.
The council vote directs the City Attorney's Office to draft an ordinance outlining the new fines and policies.
