An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in rules of the road in general, further providing for additional parking regulations.
Summary
HB 291 amends Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code provisions on additional parking regulations. The bill adds a new subsection governing how vehicles must be parked next to on-street pedestrian plazas and pedalcycle lanes: when parking on the right side of a roadway, vehicles must be aligned with traffic and parked within 12 inches of the buffer area; similar rules apply on the left side of one-way or median-divided two-way highways. The measure also preserves local authority to adopt special, alternative, or temporary parking configurations and signage under existing local powers.
The bill also makes a technical change to the disability-parking provisions by clarifying that local authorities may limit access to a reserved accessible parking space to a specific vehicle, license plate, or other designation method, may charge a reasonable fee, and must comply with both section 6109 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The penalty section is updated to include violations of the new pedestrian plaza/pedalcycle lane parking rule, while leaving the existing fine structure for other parking violations in place. The act takes effect in 60 days and may be cited as Susan’s and Emily’s Law.
Impact
HB 291 changes Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by adding parking rules for streets with protected pedestrian plazas and bicycle lanes, and by clarifying local authority powers over reserved accessible parking spaces. It affects drivers who park along these facilities, municipalities that regulate curbside parking and accessible spaces, and enforcement officials who issue summary offense citations for parking violations. The bill does not broadly rewrite parking law, but it expands and clarifies specific parking placement and disability-parking administration requirements.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support for the bill. It was reported out of the House Transportation Committee unanimously and then passed the House floor by a wide margin, indicating little organized opposition at that stage. The subsequent House Appropriations action was also unanimous, reinforcing that the measure was generally viewed favorably by lawmakers.
Contention
There is little evidence of major controversy in the available record, but the main policy issues are the balance between standardized parking rules and local flexibility, and the handling of accessible parking administration. The bill explicitly preserves local authority to create alternative or temporary parking arrangements, which may have been important to municipalities and transportation planners. Any potential concern would likely center on enforcement burdens, signage changes, or how much discretion local governments should have in limiting access to disability parking spaces and charging fees, though no specific objections appear in the provided transcripts or votes.
In rules of the road in general, further providing for additional parking regulations; and, in special vehicles and pedestrians, further providing for riding on roadways and pedalcycle paths.
In general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in abandoned vehicles and cargos, further providing for reports by private property owners of abandoned vehicles.
In licensing of drivers, further providing for schedule of convictions and points; in rules of the road in general, further providing for meeting or overtaking school bus; and imposing penalties.