Fines For Unauthorized Use Of Purple Heart Spaces Begin Next Week 

Starting next week there will be stiff penalties for unauthorized use of parking spots reserved for Purple Heart recipients. 

Until legislators passed Senate Bill 467 earlier this year, there were no penalties for those who used the spaces reserved for military service members who’ve been wounded or killed in action against an enemy of the United States. 

When the law goes into effect on Monday, June 8, there will be. Fines are $200 for a misdemeanor first offense. 

Gov. Patrick Morrisey held a ceremonial signing of the bill before a cheering military crowd in Wheeling. 

“It’s really done with de minimis cost to taxpayers, so that’s a good small way to honor the many people that have done so much for our country,” Morrisey said. 

He also ceremonially signed House Bill 4437 which extends the state’s vehicle registration fee waiver for Gold Star spouses to include surviving parents who’ve lost a child in military service.  

“You hear about Gold Star families all the time. They do bear that burden, and we know that they carry an unmistakable grief with them,” Morrisey said. “We don’t think a family should have to pay that small price when they made the ultimate sacrifice for our citizens.” 

That law goes into effect on June 12.