Bill Enables App Reports of Illegal Mobility Parking Use

STATE HOUSE — Thursday, the House of Representatives approved legislation by Rep. Evan P. Shanley allowing people to use an app to report cars illegally using mobility parking.

The bill would also update signage for mobility parking spaces.

The bill (2026-H 7050) would enable municipalities to participate in the Parking Mobility app program where individuals may submit photos on the app of vehicles that are parked in spaces designated for individuals with disabilities, and the violator may be cited and fined at the discretion of local law enforcement, according to the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau.

The measure now moves to the Senate, where similar legislation (2026-S 2995) has been introduced by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, Little Compton).

Shanley: Enforcement Lacking for Illegal Mobility Parking Use

“Accessible parking is a basic necessity for the safety and dignity of thousands of Rhode Islanders who are living with a disability,” said Representative Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick, East Greenwich). “When these spaces are unavailable because they’ve been taken by someone who does not have a placard, it’s not just an inconvenience, it means a person with a disability has been cut off from wherever it is they may be trying to go. The lack of enforcement of these violations becomes incredibly frustrating for those who utilize those spaces legally.”

The bill would also require new or replacement signage to include the language “Accessible Parking” in place of “Handicapped Parking,” “Disability Parking,” or “Disabled Parking.”

Tina Guenette, founder & CEO of RAMP (Real Access Motivates Progress), testified in favor of legislation. Guenette founded RAMP in 2019 to help everyone with a disability thrive by helping businesses see it’s easy to accommodate those with disabilities and it doesn’t cost much to do so.

“The new signage will be consistent with efforts over the past several years to update language to change the public perception of people with disabilities,” said Shanley. “It’s imperative that we change our environment to be more accommodating, and language is an important part of that effort. The focus of the signage should be on what the space is there for, as opposed to the identity or limitations of those who need those spaces.”

Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.