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History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
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Requires the installation of suicide prevention phones on all bridges controlled and operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring that suicide prevention phones be installed on all bridges under the control of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Purpose
Requires the installation of suicide prevention phones on all bridges controlled and operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MT A).
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 adds a new section, 1277-b, to require suicide prevention phones on all bridges operated by the MTA. Section 2 states the installation and location of such phones. Section 3 defines the signage of such phones. Section 4 is the effective date.
Justification
This bill is an effort to reduce the number of suicide attempts on bridges. By installing telephones that will connect directly to a life-line, called the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, hopefully those led to the bridge by despair will find the help they need before considering taking their life. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK) is a network of crisis centers located in communities across the country that are committed to suicide prevention. Placing these phones on bridges directly links an individual to a crisis center where trained personnel in suicide prevention operate the phones. In the summer of 2008, the MTA voluntarily installed phones on the Verrazano-Narrows and Throgs Neck bridges. Unless placed in statute, these phone can be removed anytime without legislative approval. This bill would require suicide phones to be installed on all bridges operated by the MTA. The intent is to give that individual contemplating suicide a voice to reassure them that life is worth living. Such phones have been installed on many spans around the country, including New York State. The State Bridge Authority, which operates five Hudson River Bridges n0l1h of the Tappan Zee have installed Lifeline phones on those four bridges. The Tappan Zee also installed the suicide prevention phones and activated them in August of 2007. All of these bridges have reported diverting a tragedy. An individual picks up the phone, talks to a trained counselor, and hopefully, the outcome is one where the police arrive and take them to a hospital to receive the help they need.
Legislative history
2008: S.7032 - Passed Senate/A.10090 - Reported to Ways & Means.
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.