HARRISBURG – A new law will remove a substantial burden from local law enforcement and court systems by allowing more than 50 Pennsylvania cities to utilize Parking Authorities to enforce and adjudicate parking ordinances, according to the measure’s sponsor, Senator Scott Martin (R-13).
The law gives all cities of the Second Class A and Third Class – including the City of Lancaster – the option to shift the responsibility of enforcing parking laws from the court system to the city’s parking authority. Under current state law, only Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have that authority.
Martin said the change will allow many cities to streamline the process of enforcing parking laws, collecting fines and settling disputes, removing that burden from law enforcement and an overburdended court system.
“Many district courts are already overwhelmed with cases even before considering relatively minor offenses like parking violations, and the resources of many local police forces and have been stretched extremely thin as well,” Martin said. “Changing the way that we approach parking enforcement and adjudication will create a more efficient system that still provides a mechanism for courts to settle disputes, while at the same time allowing the judiciary to find cost savings by realigning resources.”
Although parking authorities will now be the first point of contact for settling disputes, city residents can still appeal a decision by the parking authority to the courts if they are dissatisfied with the ruling.
The new law will take effect in 60 days.
Senate Bill 736, now Act 80 of 2017, is the first bill Martin has introduced that has been signed into law.
CONTACT: Terry Trego (717) 787-6535