West VirginiaWest Virginia law allows marked parking spaces for Purple Heart recipients
West Virginia law allows certain facilities to mark reserved spaces for Purple Heart recipients and sets fines for vehicles parked there without an authorized plate.
What it does
Public entities and certain businesses may mark spaces for Purple Heart recipients. A recipient must be driving or riding in a vehicle with an authorized Purple Heart plate to use one.
Drivers without an authorized Purple Heart plate may not park in a marked Purple Heart space. Fines rise to $500 for later convictions, but a valid recipient or passenger can provide a defense.
Argument forRecipients may have a reserved space when driving or riding in a vehicle with an authorized Purple Heart plate.
Argument againstDrivers could face fines up to $500 for parking in a marked Purple Heart space without a qualifying plate, unless they or a passenger proves valid recipient status.
More detail
Public entities and certain private facilities may mark parking spaces for Purple Heart recipients. Public entities, places of public accommodation, and commercial facilities may designate their parking spaces. A space must be marked in purple, labeled with “Purple Heart” or its symbol, and have a sign or instruction identifying it for recipients. A vehicle parked there must display an authorized Purple Heart plate, and a recipient must be driving or riding in it.
Drivers may not park in a marked Purple Heart space without an authorized Purple Heart plate. The rule applies to vehicles parked in spaces marked and signed for Purple Heart recipients. Fines are $200 for a first conviction, $300 for a second, and $500 for later convictions. A person accused of violating this rule has an absolute defense if they or their passenger shows evidence of being a valid Purple Heart recipient.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 25Chapter 203, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Mar 17Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/17/2026Major
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/17/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/17/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 11To Governor 3/11/2026To Governor
- Mar 10House received Senate message
- Vote recorded Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Completed legislative action
- Mar 10Communicated to House
- Mar 10Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 384)
- Mar 10House Message received
- Mar 9Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 9Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 9Passed House (Roll No. 363)Passed House
- Mar 9Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 9Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 9Amendment reported by the Clerk
- Mar 9Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 9On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 6Amendments pending
- Mar 6Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 6On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 5Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 5On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 4With amendment, do passMinor
- Mar 2Markup Discussion
- Feb 9To House Energy and Public WorksMinor
- Feb 9To Energy and Public Works
- Feb 9Introduced in HouseMinor
- Feb 9House received Senate message
- Feb 6Communicated to House
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 6Passed Senate (Roll No. 48)Passed Senate
- Feb 6Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 6On 3rd reading
- Feb 5Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 5On 2nd reading
- Feb 4Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 4On 1st reading
- Feb 3Committee substitute reported
- Jan 16To Transportation and Infrastructure
- Jan 16Introduced in SenateMinor
- Jan 16To Transportation and Infrastructure
- Jan 16Filed for introductionIntroduced
Transportation