This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

People in wheelchairs may soon get a little extra help to keep others out of van-accessible parking if they don't really need it.

The House unanimously passed HB56 on Friday, and sent it to the Senate. It will allow creating a special placard to give wheelchair users preference for van-accessible parking spaces.

It directs the Utah State Tax Commission to include educational information to holders of other disability parking permits, asking them to avoid van-accessible spots if possible to help those in wheelchairs.

It also allows the handicapped to put placards on their dashboards — instead of hanging them from mirrors — because many physically cannot reach the mirrors. They had complained of being ticketed for that.

­— Lee Davidson