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Senator Ileana García, in her commitment to safeguard the rights of vehicle owners, has sponsored a significant bill that was recently signed by Governor Ron DeSantis aimed at regulating vehicle parking on private properties. The bill, titled “Motor Vehicle Parking on Private Property CS/CS/HB 271 -2024”, introduces comprehensive requirements for parking signage and invoices, ensuring transparency and fairness for Florida residents.
Key provisions of the bill include authorizing entities to regulate private parking signage, while prohibiting late fees before a certain period. Additionally, the bill mandates that parking invoices include clear dispute and appeal methods, providing vehicle owners with due process and a recourse to address any discrepancies. Furthermore, the bill establishes a grace period before parking charges may be incurred, guarding against immediate financial burdens for individuals.
Senator Ileana García’s bill also addresses the crucial issue of safeguarding personal information, as it prohibits parking facility owners or operators from selling, offering for sale, or transferring personal information for commercial purposes, reaffirming the commitment to privacy and security for all citizens.
With this legislation, Senator Ileana García aims to establish a balanced and equitable framework for parking on private properties, setting a standard that aligns with the interests of vehicle owners and ensures their rights to transparent and fair parking practices. The law goes into effect starting on July 1.
HB 271 will also require legible signage showing the rules and rates for parking facilities to be posted in a place where drivers entering a garage or lot can clearly see them. The county or municipality in which the property is located may regulate the signage, which among other things must display the parking rate, upcharge rates for rule violations, a working phone number and email to receive inquiries and complaints, and that the property is privately, not publicly, owned. The proposal provides key protections for the hundreds of complaints received about ambiguous practices by companies managing private parking.
State Senator Ileana García represents Florida Senate District 36.
