Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §521, sub-§9-B is enacted to read:

9-B. Registered owner's liability for vehicle illegally parked in disability parking space access aisle.__A person who is a registered owner of a vehicle at the time that vehicle is involved in a violation of subsection 9-A commits a traffic infraction.__For purposes of this subsection, "registered owner" includes a person issued a dealer or transporter registration plate.

A.__Anyone who observes a violation of subsection 9-A may report the violation to a law enforcement officer.__If a report is made, the observer shall report the time and the location of the violation and the registration plate number and a description of the vehicle involved.__The officer shall initiate an investigation of the reported violation and, if possible, contact the registered owner of the motor vehicle involved and request that the registered owner supply information identifying the operator.

B.__The investigating officer may cause the registered owner of the vehicle to be served with a summons for a violation of this subsection.

C.__Except as provided in paragraph D, it is not a defense to a violation of this subsection that a registered owner was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.

D.__The following are defenses to a violation of this subsection.

(1)__If a person other than the owner is found to be operating the vehicle at the time of the violation and is adjudicated of violating subsection 9-A, then the registered owner may not be found in violation of this subsection.