AlabamaAlabama requires death reports and scans to check disability placards
Alabama requires estate executors to report certain placard holders’ deaths and directs the Revenue Department to set up a restricted system for checking placards.
What it does
Drivers need a disability parking plate or placard, or must be transporting someone who has one, to park in a marked accessible space. A second or later conviction also requires community service.
When a person who held a disability placard dies, the estate executor must notify the local licensing official by the start of probate proceedings or within 90 days, whichever comes first.
Starting January 1, 2027, the Department of Revenue must set up a system for scanning disability placards to check the holder’s name and whether the placard is active or expired. Access is limited to the department and specified law enforcement agencies.
Argument forOfficers could scan a placard to check its holder and status, which may help them confirm who can use accessible parking.
Argument againstThe scanning system could expose placard holders’ names and status to authorized agencies, which may concern people who want to keep disability information private.
More detail
A driver must have a valid disability parking plate or placard, or be transporting someone who has one, to park in a marked accessible space. The rule covers accessible spaces at places open to the public, including private property open to the public. Upon conviction, the minimum fine is $50 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $500 for a third or later offense. A second or later conviction also requires at least 40 hours of community service. The act generally takes effect October 1, 2026. A version of this section takes effect October 1, 2028.
An estate executor must notify the local licensing official when a person with a windshield placard dies. The duty applies when the deceased person had a removable placard for a long-term or temporary disability. The notice is due at probate proceedings or within 90 days of the person’s death, whichever comes first. The placard expires one week after its holder’s death.
The Department of Revenue must develop and implement a system that lets authorized users scan a code on a disability placard to see the holder’s name and whether the placard is active or expired. The scannable barcode or QR code appears on disability placards and links to the holder’s name and placard status. Only the Department of Revenue and law enforcement agencies enforcing the cited disability parking laws may access the system and its information. The department’s duty begins on or after January 1, 2027.
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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
- Apr 15EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 8Ready to Enroll
- Apr 8EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 8Signature Requested
- Apr 8Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 7Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Gudger Motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1221. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1198. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1197. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 7Public Safety and Homeland Security Engrossed Substitute Offered (Public Safety and Homeland Security)Minor
- Apr 7Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1197Major
- Apr 7Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1198Passed House
- Apr 7Gudger Motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1221Major
- Feb 25Reported Out of Committee Second House (Public Safety and Homeland Security)
- Feb 25Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Public Safety and Homeland Security)Minor
- Feb 19Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Melson motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 479. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 480. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19Judiciary 1st Substitute Offered (Judiciary)Minor
- Feb 19Melson motion to Table - Adopted Voice VoteMajor
- Feb 19Melson 1st Substitute OfferedMinor
- Feb 19Melson motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 479Major
- Feb 19Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 480Passed Senate
- Feb 19Engrossed
- Feb 19Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland SecurityMinor
- Feb 19Pending Committee Action in Second House (Public Safety and Homeland Security)
- Jan 21Judiciary 1st Substitute (Judiciary)
- Jan 21Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 21Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Judiciary)Minor
- Jan 13Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 13Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)Introduced
Disability RightsPublic SafetyTechnology