Vehicles on sidewalks; use of power-driven mobility devices. (HB1786)
Introduced By
Del. Chris Hurst (D-Blacksburg) with support from co-patron Del. Joe Lindsey (D-Norfolk)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✓ |
Passed Committee |
✓ |
Passed House |
✓ |
Passed Senate |
✓ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Vehicles on sidewalks. Clarifies that any public entity may allow "other power-driven mobility devices," as defined in the bill, to be ridden or driven on sidewalks in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other state and federal laws. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Passed
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
12/27/2018 | Committee |
12/27/2018 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/19 19100682D |
12/27/2018 | Referred to Committee on Transportation |
01/11/2019 | Assigned Transportation sub: Subcommittee #1 |
01/11/2019 | Impact statement from DPB (HB1786) |
01/14/2019 | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 1-N) |
01/15/2019 | House subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered |
01/15/2019 | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N) |
01/16/2019 | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 1-N) |
01/17/2019 | House committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered |
01/17/2019 | Reported from Transportation with substitute (22-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
01/17/2019 | Committee substitute printed 19103919D-H1 |
01/21/2019 | Read first time |
01/22/2019 | Impact statement from DPB (HB1786H1) |
01/22/2019 | Read second time |
01/22/2019 | Committee substitute agreed to 19103919D-H1 |
01/22/2019 | Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB1786H1 |
01/23/2019 | Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (96-Y 0-N) |
01/23/2019 | VOTE: BLOCK VOTE PASSAGE (96-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
01/24/2019 | Constitutional reading dispensed |
01/24/2019 | Referred to Committee on Transportation |
02/06/2019 | Reported from Transportation with amendments (13-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/08/2019 | Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/11/2019 | Read third time |
02/11/2019 | Reading of amendments waived |
02/11/2019 | Committee amendments agreed to |
02/11/2019 | Engrossed by Senate as amended |
02/11/2019 | Passed Senate with amendments (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/13/2019 | Placed on Calendar |
02/13/2019 | Senate amendments agreed to by House (97-Y 0-N) |
02/13/2019 | VOTE: ADOPTION (97-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/15/2019 | Enrolled |
02/15/2019 | Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1786ER) |
02/15/2019 | Signed by Speaker |
02/15/2019 | Signed by President |
02/19/2019 | G Governor's Action Deadline Midnight, March 25, 2019 |
02/19/2019 | Impact statement from DPB (HB1786ER) |
02/19/2019 | Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on February 19, 2019 |
02/19/2019 | G Governor's Action Deadline Midnight, March 26, 2019 |
03/05/2019 | G Approved by Governor-Chapter 182 (effective 7/1/19) |
03/05/2019 | G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0182) |
Comments
This Bill addresses a long overlooked oversight. The evolution of transportation devices used to accommodate citizens with mobility disorders. The US Justice clarified the necessity to exempt legitimately mobility disAbled Americans from regulations, policies and state codes that would preclude access that able-bodied individuals take for granted because the user protected choice of device to meet their individual needs, does not meet the stereotypical assessment of observers, including law enforcement, as a wheelchair, walker or cane.
The logic here is explained very well by this Justice Department guidance - "People with mobility, circulatory, respiratory, or neurological disabilities use many kinds of devices for mobility. Some use walkers, canes, crutches, or braces. Some use manual or power wheelchairs or electric scooters. In addition, advances in technology have given rise to new devices, such as Segways®, that some people with disabilities use as mobility devices, including many veterans injured while serving in the military. And more advanced devices will inevitably be invented, providing more mobility options for people with disabilities." and by "When an OPDMD is being used by a person with a mobility disability, different rules apply under the ADA than when it is being used by a person without a disability" source https://www.ada.gov/opdmd.htm
I count myself among the citizen veterans that have unfortunately been harassed because VA law enforcement and state policy makers were unaware of this 2011 guidance and the underlying federal statute.
Please pass this amendment.
I urge all legislators to pass this bill. I have a mobility impairment and find it very difficult to access needed services and venues in the community. The motorized scooters that most people are used to are not easily covered by insurance so different mobility aids become necessary. Our communities should be inclusive of and open to everyone. Having people with different abilities participate enriches us all.