S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9631
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              March 26, 2024
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by M. of A. HYNDMAN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
   tee on Transportation
 
 AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in  relation  to  enhancing
   the  fitness  and safety requirements for certain licensed individuals
   and establishes the New York state task force on the effects of  aging
   on driving ability

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law  is  amended  by
 adding a new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
   2-A.  DEFINITIONS.  FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE TERM "FIT" SHALL
 MEAN DEEMED BY A LICENSED PHYSICIAN TO  HAVE  THE  PHYSICAL  AND  MENTAL
 CAPACITY TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE.
   § 2.  Paragraph (a) of subdivision 6 of section 502 of the vehicle and
 traffic law, as amended by chapter 37 of the laws of 2019, is amended to
 read as follows:
   (a)  A  license  issued  pursuant  to subdivision five of this section
 shall be valid until the expiration date contained thereon, unless  such
 license  is suspended, revoked or cancelled. Such license may be renewed
 by submission of an application for renewal, the fee prescribed by  law,
 proofs  of  prior licensing, fitness and acceptable vision prescribed by
 the commissioner, the applicant's social security  number  or,  in  lieu
 thereof,  with  respect  to an application for a non-commercial driver's
 license or learner's permit which does not meet  federal  standards  for
 identification, an affidavit signed by such applicant that they have not
 been issued a social security number, and if required by the commission-
 er,  a  photo  image  of  the  applicant in such numbers and form as the
 commissioner shall prescribe.  UPON THE SEVENTH APPLICATION  SUBMISSION,
 AND  THEREAFTER  FOR  A  RENEWAL  OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE, APPLICANTS MUST
 SUBMIT PROOF OF A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, CONDUCTED BY A  LICENSED  PHYSI-
 CIAN,  TO  PROVE  THAT  THE LICENSEE IS MEDICALLY FIT TO OPERATE A MOTOR
 VEHICLE. In addition, an applicant for renewal of a license containing a
 hazardous material endorsement shall pass an examination to retain  such
 endorsement.  The  commissioner  shall, with respect to the renewal of a
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD07579-01-3
 A. 9631                             2
 
 hazardous materials endorsement, comply with  the  requirements  imposed
 upon  states  by sections 383.141 and 1572.13 of title 49 of the code of
 federal regulations. A renewal of such license shall be  issued  by  the
 commissioner  upon  approval  of  such  application, except that no such
 license shall be issued if its issuance would be inconsistent  with  the
 provisions  of  section  five  hundred sixteen of this title, and except
 that the commissioner may refuse to renew such license if the  applicant
 is  the holder of a currently valid or renewable license to drive issued
 by another state or foreign country unless the applicant surrenders such
 license.
   § 3. a. The "New York state task force on  the  effects  of  aging  on
 driving  ability"  is hereby established (hereinafter referred to as the
 "task force"). The task force shall study the effects of aging on  driv-
 ing ability and develop a comprehensive approach to licensing drivers.
   b. Such study shall include:
   (i) Effective and efficient identification of drivers at risk of being
 involved  in  a motor vehicle accident because of functional limitations
 that affect their driving ability;
   (ii) Prevalence and effect of degenerative processes affecting vision,
 hearing, mobility, cognitive functions, and reaction time;
   (iii) Implementation and effect of the department's  vision  screening
 requirements and examination of new technologies;
   (iv)  Availability  and  effectiveness  of  remedial  measures such as
 skills training, adaptive equipment, physical therapy, and adjustment of
 driving practices that will allow people to drive safely for as long  as
 possible;
   (v) Availability of alternative forms of transportation for people who
 can no longer safely drive; and
   (vi)  Effectiveness  of existing public education initiatives relating
 to at-risk drivers.
   § 4. Such task force shall consist of  the  following  members,  which
 shall each serve for a term of two years:
   a. one member appointed by the governor;
   b. one member appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
   c. one member appointed by the minority leader of the senate;
   d. one member appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
   e. one member appointed by the minority leader of the assembly; and
   f.  two  members  appointed  by  the commissioner of the department of
 motor vehicles.
   § 5. Such members of the task force shall receive no compensation  for
 their  services,  but  shall be reimbursed for all expenses actually and
 necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties.  Vacan-
 cies in office shall be filled  in  the  same  manner  as  the  original
 appointment.
   § 6. The task force shall report its findings from such study and make
 recommendations  with  supporting  legislation  to  the governor and the
 legislature within one year of the effective date of this act.
   § 7. This act shall take effect immediately.