Relates to providing veterans with information concerning accident prevention courses

BILL NUMBER:S5784

Title of bill

An act to amend the military law, the executive law and the economic development law, in relation to providing information to veterans concerning accident prevention courses approved by the commissioner of motor vehicles

Purpose

The purpose of this bill is to require the division of military and naval affairs and the division of veterans affairs to provide information on accident prevention courses approved by the commissioner of motor vehicles to those servicemen and women who have returned from a combat theater or combat zone of operations.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill states the legislative intent regarding these provisions.

Section 2 amends the military law by adding a new section 301-c to require the division of military and naval affairs to provide returning servicemen and women who have returned from a combat theater or combat zone of operations with information about accident prevention courses approved by the commissioner of motor vehicles pursuant to article twelve-B of the vehicle and traffic law. The information may be provided in written form to be available at Yellow Ribbon Reintegration programs or any other reintegration programs offered by the division. The bill also requires the division to provide a link to the department of motor vehicles website pages containing information about the accident prevention courses.

Section 3 amends Section 353 of the executive law by adding a new subdivision 20 to require the division of veterans' affairs to make available information on accident prevention courses approved by the commissioner of motor vehicles online on the division's website. The division shall also provide a link to the department of motor vehicles website containing information on the accident prevention courses.

Section 4 amends Section 100 of the economic development law by adding a new subdivision 18-h to include companies who provide accident prevention courses approved by the commissioner of motor vehicles at a reduced rate to the servicemen and women who have returned from a combat theater or combat zone of operations into the NY-USA Proud program developed under Patriot Plan 1.

Justification

It is quite clear that, at least in this life, we will never be able to adequately reward our Veterans for their years of absolutely purposeful sacrifice and forthrightly honorable service, not only to our country and state, but to every individual constituent part therein. It is entirely reasonable to extend this small modicum of courtesy to those who served in a combat theater or combat zone of operation. It is important that information on accident prevention courses be made available to the returning veterans so that they drive safe and stay safe as they return home.

Legislative history

2006: A.10934 Referred to Veterans' Affairs Committee 2007/08: A.6934 Referred to Veterans' Affairs Committee 2009/10: A.7548 Referred to Veterans' Affairs Committee

Fiscal implications

Minimal to the division of military and naval affairs.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law; provided that the commissioner of motor vehicles, division of military and naval affairs and the commissioner of economic development are authorized and directed to immediately promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to carry out this act on or before the effective date.