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

1 Co-sponsor

• Jeffrey D. Klein

BILL NUMBER:S5276

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 site to be known as the "next of kin registry." The commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles will be 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 for appropriate times an investigating police officer should attempt to contact the emergency contact provided for in the "next of kin registry" including any event resulting in physical injury, death, or incapacitation.

Section 3 provides the act 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.

Justification

When there is a motor vehicle accident, family members of the victims should be informed in a timely manner.

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 amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new section (215-a) in order to establish 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.

This bill includes a specific provision to protect registrants from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Law. Only police officers is the specific instances outlined in this bill will be permitted to

access emergency contact information provided in the "next of kin registry."

Motor vehicle accidents can be traumatic for the victims and their family members. It is inexcusable in this technological age that there be anything preventing the quick notice of a victims' next of kin in the event there is an accident resulting in physical injury, death, or incapacitation. This legislation will allow New York State's Department of Motor Vehicles to apply a similar system to other state's online registry's for "next of kin" emergency contacts.

History

New bill.

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.