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S 2428

Relates to a constitutional right to hunt, trap and fish

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Ortt

Permits disabled parking placards for individuals with autism and for their parent/guardian to use only when transporting the diagnosed person, expanding access to spaces.

OPINION REFERRED TO JUDICIARY
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Bill Summary · S 2428

Summary — S.2428 (Senate No. 2428, 194th General Court)

Short title / subject: An Act relative to handicap parking access for individuals with autism.

Sponsor / filing: Filed as Senate Docket No. 355 by Sen. Patrick M. O’Connor (First Plymouth and Norfolk). (Note: some supplied metadata in the request appears inconsistent — e.g., an unrelated bill title, federal sponsor names, and duplicate dates — this summary relies on the bill text and the Senate docket information included with the bill.)

Purpose and intent

To expressly authorize issuance of disabled parking placards to individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and allow a parent or guardian to obtain and use such a placard when transporting that individual. The intent is to ensure people with autism and their caregivers can access handicap parking accommodations under Massachusetts law.

Key provision(s)

  • Amends the ninth paragraph of Section 2 of Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws (as in the 2014 Official Edition) by inserting a sentence that:

    • Permits issuance of a disabled parking placard to an individual diagnosed with one of the autism spectrum disorders; and
    • Permits issuance of a placard to the parent or guardian of such an individual, with the explicit limitation that the parent/guardian may use the placard only when transporting the diagnosed individual.

  • The bill does not itself specify application procedures, documentation required (e.g., medical certification), placard duration, fees, or enforcement mechanisms — these would generally be governed by existing RMV rules and implementing regulations under Chapter 90.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals in Massachusetts diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders who currently may not qualify for a disabled parking placard under the statutory text as written.
  • Parents or legal guardians who transport such individuals (they would be eligible to receive a placard but restricted to using it while transporting the diagnosed person).
  • The Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and municipal parking enforcement agencies — potential administrative updates to application processes, record-keeping, and enforcement guidance.
  • Property owners and businesses with accessible spaces may see altered demand for accessible parking.

Procedural / timeline status (as reported)

  • Filed as Senate Docket No. 355 on 01/12/2025.
  • Referred to the Judiciary and sent to the Attorney General for opinion (01/17/2025); AG opinion referred to Judiciary (01/31/2025).
  • House concurrence and referral to the Committee on Transportation noted 02/27/2025.
  • Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance on 07/24/2025.
  • Hearing(s) were scheduled and rescheduled for October 21, 2025 (per committee calendar entries).
  • Current status listed as: OPINION REFERRED TO JUDICIARY.

Potential impacts and implementation issues

  • Likely increase in placard applications for autism-related disabilities; RMV may need to adopt or clarify medical documentation standards (e.g., physician certification of diagnosis).
  • Enforcement considerations: verifying that a parent/guardian is transporting the individual named as the basis for the placard; potential need for guidance on misuse penalties.
  • The bill inserts eligibility language but leaves administrative details to existing RMV procedures; future regulatory action or guidance may be required to operationalize the change.

If you want, I can: (1) extract the exact statutory language change and place it in context of the full ninth paragraph of G.L. c.90 §2, (2) draft likely RMV guidance language, or (3) prepare a short one-page briefing for municipal parking enforcement on expected operational impacts.

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

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