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H 3880

Mary Kennedy McDaniel, sympathy

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 121 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill lets municipalities designate veteran-parking spaces in large lots or garages for non-handicapped veterans with veteran plates, with signage and a $100 fine.

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · H 3880

Summary — H 3880 (House Docket No. 120)

Title: An Act relative to courtesy retail parking spaces designed for non‑handicapped veterans
Classification: Resolution / Bill (filed as House Docket No. 120 / H 3880)
Filed: 01/06/2025 (House Docket); Introduced/Reported activity in Feb–Jul 2025
Status (per record provided): Introduced; referred to Veterans and Federal Affairs (02/27/2025); Senate concurred (02/27/2025); hearing scheduled 07/22/2025. The file also includes a separate House resolution (South Carolina) expressing sympathy on the passing of Mary Lucille Kennedy McDaniel.

Note: The legislative package as provided contains two distinct items: (1) a Massachusetts bill establishing optional “veteran parking” spaces in large retail/off‑street lots, and (2) a ceremonial South Carolina House resolution honoring Mary L. K. McDaniel. This summary focuses on the substantive Massachusetts bill text and highlights the separate resolution.

Purpose and intent

Permit municipalities to designate courtesy parking spaces in off‑street and large retail parking lots or garages specifically reserved for non‑handicapped veterans who operate vehicles displaying a veteran registration plate. The intent is to provide preferential (non‑handicapped) parking for veterans as an optional local accommodation.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new section (proposed Section 22A5/6) to Chapter 40 of the General Laws.
  • Municipalities may designate parking spaces in:
    • Off‑street parking lots,
    • Large retail parking lots,
    • Parking garages.
  • Eligibility: spaces are reserved for motor vehicles owned and operated by veterans that display a veteran registration plate issued under Chapter 90, Section 2.
  • Quantity limits:
    • Up to 2 reserved spaces in parking lots with more than 1,000 parking spaces.
    • For every additional 500 parking spaces beyond 1,000, municipalities may reserve up to 2 additional spaces.
  • Signage: municipalities must erect and maintain signs that read exactly (as provided):
    "Veteran Parking Only — this space is reserved for those who have served. Unauthorized Vehicles May Be Removed At The Vehicle Owner's Expense."
  • Enforcement and penalties:
    • Violation carries a $100 fine.
    • Cities/towns may remove (tow) unauthorized vehicles per the procedures in Section 22D.
    • The $100 penalty is not a surchargeable offense under Chapter 175, Section 113B.
  • Administration: the Chief Executive Officer (as defined in Chapter 21D, Section 2) is directed to work with parking lot/garage owners or managers to implement the provision.
  • Effective date: the act would take effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Municipalities: empowered (but not required) to create veteran parking spaces and to post/maintain signs and enforce rules.
  • Veterans: non‑handicapped veterans who have veteran registration plates would be eligible to use those spaces.
  • Retail property owners/managers and parking garage operators: required to cooperate if the municipality elects to designate spaces; may need to install/maintain signage and allow enforcement action.
  • General motorists: risk of a $100 fine and towing if parked in a designated veteran space without proper eligibility.

Impact and considerations

  • The measure is permissive (municipal option), not a state mandate; implementation and scope will vary by locality.
  • Administrative impact is modest: signage costs, limited enforcement workload, and potential towing actions.
  • The cap formula limits the number of reserved spaces in very large lots, balancing accommodation with overall parking supply.
  • The inclusion in the provided file of a separate South Carolina condolence resolution (Mary L. Kennedy McDaniel) is ceremonial and unrelated to the parking provisions.

Procedural/timeline notes (from provided record)

  • House Docket filed: 01/06/2025.
  • Referred to Veterans and Federal Affairs: 02/27/2025.
  • Senate concurred: 02/27/2025.
  • Hearing scheduled: 07/22/2025 (01:00 PM–05:00 PM, A‑2).
  • A separate House resolution expressing sympathy for Mary Lucille Kennedy McDaniel was introduced and adopted 02/04/2025 (South Carolina House resolution included in the file).

Related bill: HD 120 (noted as replaced by this filing).

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

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