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Bill

H 3613

Executive Office of Health Policy

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sylleste Davis and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a temporary commission to study feasibility and design of time limits on handicap placard use in metered spots, with an 18-month report and potential post-limit fees.

Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Davis
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Bill Summary · H 3613

Summary: House Bill H.3613 (Resolve) — Special Commission on Time Limits for Handicap Parking Placard Use in Metered Spots

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a temporary, non-binding commission to investigate and study whether a time limit should be placed on the use of handicap parking placards in metered parking spaces.
  • Explore the feasibility of municipalities implementing such a time limit and consider related fee structures after the time limit expires (e.g., a standard or reduced fee).

Key provisions

  • Creates a special commission to conduct an inquiry and develop a study on the feasibility and design of a time limit for handicapped placard use in metered spots.
  • The commission may examine potential benefits, implementation options for municipalities, and associated fee structures after the time limit period.
  • The commission must prepare a detailed report with proposals and recommendations and submit it to:
    • Clerks of the Massachusetts House and Senate
    • Department of Transportation (DOT)
    • Department of Elder Affairs
    • Office on Disability
  • The report must be completed no later than 18 months after the act’s effective date.
  • Following submission of the report, the commission dissolves 60 days later.

Commission composition

The commission shall consist of:
- 2 members of the Senate appointed by the Senate President
- 2 members of the House appointed by the House Speaker
- The Secretary of Transportation or a designee
- The Secretary of Elder Affairs or a designee
- The Director of the Office on Disability or a designee
- 2 members appointed by the Governor

Appointments are to occur within 60 days of the act’s effective date.

Procedures and public engagement

  • The commission is to invite papers and research from interested parties.
  • It will receive testimony from experts and the general public.
  • The inquiry will assess the potential benefits and feasibility of allowing cities and towns to implement a time limit on placard use in metered spots.

Reporting and transparency

  • The final report must be publicly accessible via the House and Senate clerks’ websites.
  • The report’s recommendations go to the named state agencies and legislative clerks for dissemination.

Timeline and status

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Referred to the Committee on Transportation: February 27, 2025
  • Related action: Senate concurred (historical context: similar matter filed in prior session)
  • Hearing schedule: Rescheduled multiple times to October 21, 2025 (adjustments to time/venue noted)
    • Updated hearings indicate both in-person (A-2/B-2) and virtual options
  • Effective date: Not explicitly stated; appointments within 60 days of the act’s effective date

Who is affected

  • Municipalities (cities/towns) that might consider implementing a time limit on handicapped placard use in metered spots
  • Handicap placard holders, who could be subject to new time-limit rules and potential post-limit fees if enacted
  • State agencies (DOT, Department of Elder Affairs, Office on Disability) that would receive the final report and may influence any implementation

Relation to other bills

  • HD 3262 (2023-2024) is a similar prior measure referenced as a related matter
  • HD 2127 is the current bill version that replaces the prior proposal

This resolution focuses on study and potential policy pathways rather than immediate regulatory changes, pending commission findings.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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