NY State Senate Bill 2015-S2396A

Senate Bill S2396A

2015-2016 Legislative Session

Directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to establish a next of kin registry for holders of drivers' licenses, learners' permits and non-driver identification

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Transportation Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Feb 22, 2016	print number 2396a
Feb 22, 2016	amend and recommit to transportation
Jan 06, 2016	referred to transportation returned to senate died in assembly
Jun 02, 2015	referred to transportation delivered to assembly passed senate
May 27, 2015	ordered to third reading cal.977 committee discharged and committed to rules
Jan 22, 2015	referred to transportation

Votes

- Jun 2, 2015 - Floor Vote
  S2396A
  
  61
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  2
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Floor Vote: Jun 2, 2015
      
      aye (61)
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Amedore
      
      Avella
      
      Bonacic
      
      Boyle
      
      Breslin
      
      Carlucci
      
      Comrie
      
      Croci
      
      DeFrancisco
      
      Diaz
      
      Dilan
      
      Espaillat
      
      Farley
      
      Felder
      
      Flanagan
      
      Funke
      
      Gallivan
      
      Gianaris
      
      Golden
      
      Griffo
      
      Hamilton
      
      Hannon
      
      Hoylman-Sigal
      
      Kennedy
      
      Klein
      
      Krueger
      
      LaValle
      
      Lanza
      
      Larkin
      
      Latimer
      
      Little
      
      Marcellino
      
      Marchione
      
      Martins
      
      Montgomery
      
      Murphy
      
      Nozzolio
      
      O'Mara
      
      Ortt
      
      Panepinto
      
      Parker
      
      Peralta
      
      Perkins
      
      Ranzenhofer
      
      Ritchie
      
      Rivera
      
      Robach
      
      Sampson
      
      Sanders Jr.
      
      Savino
      
      Serino
      
      Serrano
      
      Seward
      
      Skelos
      
      Squadron
      
      Stavisky
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      Valesky
      
      Venditto
      
      Young
      
      excused (2)
      
      Hassell-Thompson
      
      Libous
  May 27, 2015 - Rules Committee Vote
  S2396A
  
  24
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  1
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Rules Committee Vote: May 27, 2015
      
      aye (24)
      
      Bonacic
      
      Breslin
      
      Carlucci
      
      DeFrancisco
      
      Dilan
      
      Espaillat
      
      Farley
      
      Flanagan
      
      Gianaris
      
      Hannon
      
      Krueger
      
      LaValle
      
      Larkin
      
      Little
      
      Marcellino
      
      Montgomery
      
      Nozzolio
      
      Parker
      
      Perkins
      
      Seward
      
      Skelos
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      Valesky
      
      Young
      
      excused (1)
      
      Hassell-Thompson

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

co-Sponsors

2015-S2396 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A6839
Current Committee:: Senate Transportation
Law Section:: Vehicle and Traffic Law
Laws Affected:: Add §§215-a & 607, V & T L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S5276, A8021
2013-2014: S1948, A6694, A9120
2017-2018: S1910, A7313
2019-2020: S1373
2021-2022: S2711

2015-S2396 - Summary

Directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to establish a next of kin registry for holders of drivers' licenses, learners' permits and non-driver identification cards; such holders may submit their emergency contact information to be used by police in the event the holder is injured or killed.

2015-S2396 - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S2396

TITLE OF BILL:

An  act  to  amend  the  vehicle  and  traffic  law,  in  relation  to
establishing a next of kin registry for holders of drivers'  licenses,
learners' permits and non-driver identification cards

PURPOSE:

To create a "next of kin registry" in the State of New York.

SUMMARY:

Section  1  amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new section
(215-a) in order to require the  commissioner  of  the  Department  of
Motor   Vehicles   to  establish  and  operate  a  statewide  internet
accessible  website  known  as  the  "next  of  kin   registry."   The
commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles is required to create
a  system  by which the license/ID holder can sign in using their card
number and add emergency contacts who  are  18  years  or  older.  The
emergency contact will be contacted by an investigating police officer
in the event of an accident pursuant to the new

Section  606  of the Vehicle and Traffic Law provided for in Section 2
of this legislation.

Section 2 creates a new Section 606 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law  in
order to provide notification of emergency contacts.

Section 3 provides the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:

In  the  event  of  a  motor  vehicle  accident, family members of the
victims should be  informed  in  a  timely  manner.  The  current  law
provides  no way for police officers to find contact information for a
victims' emergency contacts in the event of an accident.

This bill establishes a statewide internet site to  be  known  as  the
"next  of  kin  registry."  Holders  of  drivers'  licenses, learners'
permits and non-driver identification cards will be able to visit  the
website  and  use  their  card  number to register up to two emergency
contacts. The emergency contacts must be 18 years  or  older.  In  the
event   of  an  accident  resulting  in  physical  injury,  death,  or
incapacitation, the investigating police officer will then attempt  to
contact  the emergency contact(s) provided for in the online registry.
Furthermore,  this   bill   specifically   provides   protection   for
registrants from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Law. Only
police  officers  in the specific instances outlined in this bill will
be permitted to access emergency contact information provided  in  the
"next  of  kin  registry."  This  legislation will also allow New York
State's Department of Motor Vehicles to  apply  a  similar  system  to
other states' online registries for "next of kin" emergency contacts.

Motor  vehicle  accidents  are  traumatic for victims and their family
members. In our technological age, it  is  inexcusable  that  anything


prevent  the  prompt notice of victims' next of kin in the event of an
accident resulting in physical injury, death, or incapacitation.  This
legislation provides that notice in safe and efficient manner.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2011-2012: S.5276 Passed Senate / A.8021 Referred to Transportation
2013-2014: S.1948 Passed Senate / A.9120 Referred to Transportation

FISCAL IMPACT:

Minimal

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This  act  shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become law;  provided,  that,  effective  immediately,  any
actions  necessary  to  implement  the  provisions  of this act on its
effective date are authorized and  directed  to  be  completed  on  or
before such date.

2015-S2396 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  2396

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            January 22, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens.  RITCHIE,  FUNKE,  KLEIN -- read twice and ordered
  printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on  Trans-
  portation

AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing
  a  next  of  kin  registry for holders of drivers' licenses, learners'
  permits and non-driver identification cards

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  The  vehicle  and  traffic law is amended by adding a new
section 215-a to read as follows:
  S 215-A. NEXT OF KIN REGISTRY. 1. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH AND
OPERATE, WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, AN AUTOMATED, STATEWIDE INTERNET  ACCES-
SIBLE  WEBSITE TO BE KNOWN AS THE "NEXT OF KIN REGISTRY".  SUCH REGISTRY
SHALL BE CAPABLE OF STORING EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE HOLDERS
OF DRIVERS' LICENSES, LEARNERS' PERMITS  AND  NON-DRIVER  IDENTIFICATION
CARDS  TO  BE  ACCESSIBLE  BY  POLICE  OFFICERS  PURSUANT TO SECTION SIX
HUNDRED SIX OF THIS CHAPTER. ANY HOLDER OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE, LEARNER'S
PERMIT OR NON-DRIVER IDENTIFICATION CARD MAY VOLUNTARILY SUBMIT, VIA  AN
INTERNET  WEBSITE  ESTABLISHED  THEREFOR, THE NAMES, ADDRESSES AND TELE-
PHONE NUMBERS OF TWO EMERGENCY CONTACTS FOR INCLUSION IN THE NEXT OF KIN
REGISTRY.
  2. IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEXT OF KIN REGISTRY, THE COMMISSIONER
SHALL ESTABLISH A PROCESS WHEREBY ANY  HOLDER  OF  A  DRIVER'S  LICENSE,
LEARNER'S  PERMIT  OR  NON-DRIVER IDENTIFICATION CARD MAY ELECTRONICALLY
SIGN INTO THE DEPARTMENT INTERNET WEBSITE  USING  HIS  OR  HER  LICENSE,
PERMIT  OR  CARD  NUMBER.  THEREAFTER,  SUCH HOLDER MAY ENTER HIS OR HER
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION FOR NOT MORE THAN  TWO  EMERGENCY  CONTACT
PERSONS,  OR  MAY  REVISE OR UPDATE PREVIOUSLY ENTERED EMERGENCY CONTACT
INFORMATION.
  3. INFORMATION IN THE NEXT OF KIN REGISTRY  SHALL  BE  MADE  AVAILABLE
SOLELY  FOR  THE  USE OF POLICE OFFICERS PURSUANT TO SECTION SIX HUNDRED

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD05816-01-5

S. 2396                             2

SIX OF THIS CHAPTER. THE INFORMATION IN THE NEXT OF KIN  REGISTRY  SHALL
BE  DEEMED  TO  BE  CONFIDENTIAL  AND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SIX OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW.
  4.  FOR  THE  PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "EMERGENCY CONTACT" SHALL MEAN
ANY PERSON, EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, DESIGNATED BY THE HOLDER  OF
A  DRIVER'S  LICENSE, LEARNER'S PERMIT OR NON-DRIVER IDENTIFICATION CARD
TO BE CONTACTED BY A POLICE AGENCY WHEN SUCH HOLDER IS  RENDERED  UNABLE
TO COMMUNICATE DUE TO PHYSICAL INJURY, DEATH OR INCAPACITATION.
  S  2.  The  vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section
606 to read as follows:
  S 606. NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY CONTACTS. WHEN A MOTOR VEHICLE  ACCI-
DENT  OR  ANY OTHER EVENT RESULTS IN PHYSICAL INJURY, DEATH OR INCAPACI-
TATION OF ANY PERSON, THE POLICE OFFICER INVESTIGATING SUCH ACCIDENT  OR
EVENT SHALL ATTEMPT TO LOCATE AN EMERGENCY CONTACT OF THE INJURED PERSON
FROM  THE  NEXT  OF  KIN  REGISTRY  ESTABLISHED  PURSUANT TO SECTION TWO
HUNDRED FIFTEEN-A OF THIS CHAPTER. A POLICE OFFICER SHALL, WHEN  PRACTI-
CABLE,  EXPEDITIOUSLY  NOTIFY  AN EMERGENCY CONTACT OF EACH SUCH INJURED
PERSON AND INFORM  THE  EMERGENCY  CONTACT  OF  THE  HOSPITAL  OR  OTHER
LOCATION AT WHICH THE INJURED PERSON HAS BEEN TAKEN.
  S 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it  shall  have become a law; provided, that, effective immediately, any
actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its  effec-
tive  date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such
date.

co-Sponsors

2015-S2396A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A6839
Current Committee:: Senate Transportation
Law Section:: Vehicle and Traffic Law
Laws Affected:: Add §§215-a & 607, V & T L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S5276, A8021
2013-2014: S1948, A6694, A9120
2017-2018: S1910, A7313
2019-2020: S1373
2021-2022: S2711

2015-S2396A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2015-S2396A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S2396A

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in
relation to establishing a next of kin registry for holders of
drivers' licenses, learners' permits and non-driver identification
cards

 PURPOSE :

To create a "next of kin registry" in the State of New York.

 SUMMARY :

Section 1 amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new section
(215-a) in order to require the commissioner of the Department of
Motor Vehicles to establish and operate a statewide internet
accessible website known as the "next of kin registry." The
commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles is required to create
a system by which the license/ID holder can sign in using their card
number and add emergency contacts who are 18 years or older. The
emergency contact will be contacted by an investigating police officer
in the event of an accident pursuant to the new Section 607 of the
Vehicle and Traffic Law provided for in Section 2 of this legislation.

Section 2 creates a new Section 607 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law in
order to provide notification of emergency contacts.

Section 3 provides the effective date.

 JUSTIFICATION :

In the event of a motor vehicle accident, family members of the
victims should be informed in a timely manner. The current law
provides no way for police officers to find contact information for a
victims' emergency contacts in the event of an accident.

This bill establishes a statewide internet site to be known as the
"next of kin registry." Holders of drivers' licenses, learners'
permits and non-driver identification cards will be able to visit the
website and use their card number to register up to two emergency
contacts. The emergency contacts must be 18 years or older. In the
event of an accident resulting in physical injury, death, or
incapacitation, the investigating police officer will then attempt to
contact the emergency contact(s) provided for in the online registry.
Furthermore, this bill specifically provides protection for
registrants from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Law. Only
police officers in the specific instances outlined in this bill will
be permitted to access emergency contact information provided in the
"next of kin registry." This legislation will also allow New York
State's Department of Motor Vehicles to apply a similar system to
other states' online registries for "next of kin" emergency contacts.

Motor vehicle accidents are traumatic for victims and their family
members. In our technological age, it is inexcusable that anything
prevent the prompt notice of victims' next of kin in the event of an
accident resulting in physical injury, death, or incapacitation. This
legislation provides that notice in safe and efficient manner.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2011-2012: S.5276 Passed Senate / A.8021 Referred to Transportation
2013-2014: S.1948 Passed Senate / A.9120 Referred to Transportation

 FISCAL IMPACT :

Minimal.
 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become law; provided, that, effective immediately, any
actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its
effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or
before such date.

2015-S2396A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 2396--A

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            January 22, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens.  RITCHIE,  FELDER,  FUNKE, KLEIN -- read twice and
  ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on
  Transportation  --  recommitted  to the Committee on Transportation in
  accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 --  committee  discharged,  bill
  amended,  ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said commit-
  tee

AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing
  a next of kin registry for holders  of  drivers'  licenses,  learners'
  permits and non-driver identification cards

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is  amended  by  adding  a  new
section 215-a to read as follows:
  S 215-A. NEXT OF KIN REGISTRY. 1. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH AND
OPERATE,  WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, AN AUTOMATED, STATEWIDE INTERNET ACCES-
SIBLE WEBSITE TO BE KNOWN AS THE "NEXT OF KIN REGISTRY".  SUCH  REGISTRY
SHALL BE CAPABLE OF STORING EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE HOLDERS
OF  DRIVERS'  LICENSES,  LEARNERS' PERMITS AND NON-DRIVER IDENTIFICATION
CARDS TO BE ACCESSIBLE  BY  POLICE  OFFICERS  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  SIX
HUNDRED  SEVEN  OF  THIS  CHAPTER.  ANY  HOLDER  OF  A DRIVER'S LICENSE,
LEARNER'S PERMIT  OR  NON-DRIVER  IDENTIFICATION  CARD  MAY  VOLUNTARILY
SUBMIT,  VIA  AN  INTERNET  WEBSITE  ESTABLISHED  THEREFOR,  THE  NAMES,
ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF TWO EMERGENCY CONTACTS FOR  INCLUSION
IN THE NEXT OF KIN REGISTRY.
  2. IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEXT OF KIN REGISTRY, THE COMMISSIONER
SHALL  ESTABLISH  A  PROCESS  WHEREBY  ANY HOLDER OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE,
LEARNER'S PERMIT OR NON-DRIVER IDENTIFICATION  CARD  MAY  ELECTRONICALLY
SIGN  INTO  THE  DEPARTMENT  INTERNET  WEBSITE USING HIS OR HER LICENSE,
PERMIT OR CARD NUMBER. THEREAFTER, SUCH HOLDER  MAY  ENTER  HIS  OR  HER
EMERGENCY  CONTACT  INFORMATION  FOR NOT MORE THAN TWO EMERGENCY CONTACT

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD05816-02-6

S. 2396--A                          2

PERSONS, OR MAY REVISE OR UPDATE PREVIOUSLY  ENTERED  EMERGENCY  CONTACT
INFORMATION.
  3.  INFORMATION  IN  THE  NEXT OF KIN REGISTRY SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE
SOLELY FOR THE USE OF POLICE OFFICERS PURSUANT TO  SECTION  SIX  HUNDRED
SEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER. THE INFORMATION IN THE NEXT OF KIN REGISTRY SHALL
BE  DEEMED  TO  BE  CONFIDENTIAL  AND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SIX OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW.
  4. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "EMERGENCY  CONTACT"  SHALL  MEAN
ANY  PERSON, EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, DESIGNATED BY THE HOLDER OF
A DRIVER'S LICENSE, LEARNER'S PERMIT OR NON-DRIVER  IDENTIFICATION  CARD
TO  BE  CONTACTED BY A POLICE AGENCY WHEN SUCH HOLDER IS RENDERED UNABLE
TO COMMUNICATE DUE TO PHYSICAL INJURY, DEATH OR INCAPACITATION.
  S 2. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding  a  new  section
607 to read as follows:
  S  607. NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY CONTACTS. WHEN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCI-
DENT OR ANY OTHER EVENT RESULTS IN PHYSICAL INJURY, DEATH  OR  INCAPACI-
TATION  OF ANY PERSON, THE POLICE OFFICER INVESTIGATING SUCH ACCIDENT OR
EVENT SHALL ATTEMPT TO LOCATE AN EMERGENCY CONTACT OF THE INJURED PERSON
FROM THE NEXT OF  KIN  REGISTRY  ESTABLISHED  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  TWO
HUNDRED  FIFTEEN-A OF THIS CHAPTER. A POLICE OFFICER SHALL, WHEN PRACTI-
CABLE, EXPEDITIOUSLY NOTIFY AN EMERGENCY CONTACT OF  EACH  SUCH  INJURED
PERSON  AND  INFORM  THE  EMERGENCY  CONTACT  OF  THE  HOSPITAL OR OTHER
LOCATION AT WHICH THE INJURED PERSON HAS BEEN TAKEN.
  S 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediate-
ly, any actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its
effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or  before
such date.

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Senate Bill S2396A

Share this bill

Sponsored By

Patty Ritchie

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Transportation Committee

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

Simcha Felder

Rich Funke

Jeffrey D. Klein

2015-S2396 - Details

2015-S2396 - Summary

2015-S2396 - Sponsor Memo

2015-S2396 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

Simcha Felder

Rich Funke

Jeffrey D. Klein

2015-S2396A (ACTIVE) - Details

2015-S2396A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2015-S2396A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2015-S2396A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments