A new law has gone into effect on January 1, 2004 that clearly sends a message to those who illegally park in handicapped parking spaces and access aisles. It also contains a provision including towing.

This amendment to Section 1, Subdivision 4 of section 1203-c of the Vehicle and Traffic Law which addresses the issue of people illegally parking in areas designated for the disabled now includes the statement, "or any person who parks in a handicapped parking access aisle."

Additionally, there is a provision regarding towing, "a ticketing officer issuing a summons pursuant to this section may provide for removal and storage of a motor vehicle illegally parked in a handicapped parking space or a handicapped parking access aisle" Previously, the law did not address the issue of people illegally parking in access aisles. The only provision was to place "No Parking" signs at each aisle when they were constructed.

The statement of support incorporated in the bill proposal acknowledged that, "the disabled community has expressed concern with people using handicapped parking access aisles to park their vehicles and the lack of authority in the Vehicle and Traffic Law in regard to enforcement of violations for parking in such access aisles. The provisions of this proposal are supported by the New York State (NYS) Department of Transportation, the NYS Division of Human Rights and others."

The new law imposes fines that are equal to those for parking in a handicapped parking space. The fines are identical for those violating handicapped parking, between $50 and $75 for the first offense and between $75 and $150 for the second within a two-year period at the same municipality.