SECTION 1. clause (23) of section 21 of chapter 40 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out paragraph (b) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

            (b) Parking spaces designated as reserved under paragraph (a) shall be identified by the use of above-grade signs with white lettering against a blue background and shall bear the words “Handicapped Parking: Special Plate Required. Unauthorized Vehicles May be Removed at Owner’s Expense”.  The spaces shall be as near as possible to a building entrance or walkway, shall be adjacent to curb ramps or other unobstructed methods permitting sidewalk access to a handicapped person and shall be at least 8 feet wide, not including the cross hatch access aisle as defined by the architectural access board established in section 13A of chapter 22.  The cross hatch access aisle abutting a handicapped parking space shall be considered part of the handicapped parking space to which it abuts to provide individuals who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids with sufficient space to enter and exit their vehicles.  No person shall park in the cross hatched access aisle.

            SECTION 2.  Said section 21 of said chapter 40, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the word “the”, in line 177, the following words:-  standing or.

            SECTION 3.  The second paragraph of section 22A of said chapter 40, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the second sentence and inserting in place thereof the following 3 sentences:-  Parking spaces designated as reserved under this paragraph shall be identified by the use of above-grade signs with white lettering against a blue background and shall bear the words “Handicapped Parking: Special Plate Required. Unauthorized Vehicles May be Removed at Owner’s Expense”.  The spaces shall be as near as possible to a building entrance or walkway, shall be adjacent to curb ramps or other unobstructed methods permitting sidewalk access to a handicapped person and shall be at least 8 feet wide, not including the cross hatch access aisle as defined by the architectural access board established in section 13A of chapter 22.  If parking spaces designated as reserved under this paragraph are made temporarily unavailable due to a construction project or other planned event, the city or town shall ensure that the nearest available nonreserved parking space, if any, shall be temporarily designated as reserved under this paragraph.