Relates to health care proxy information on driver's licenses

1 Co-sponsor

• George Latimer

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to health care proxy information on driver's licenses; and to repeal certain provisions of such law relating thereto

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this bill is to amend the information that may be listed on an application for a driver's license or non-driver identification cards, regarding whether an individual has executed an advance directive.

Summary of specific provisions

Section one, two, three, four, and five makes concurring amends to the vehicle and traffic law relating to information that may be listed on an application for a driver's license or non-driver identification cards, regarding whether an individual has executed an advance directive.

Section six amends paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 of section 504 of the vehicle and traffic law.

Section seven sets forth the effective date.

Justification

Advance directives, such as health care proxies or living wills, are verbal or written instructions given by individuals specifying what medical care they wish to receive, or abstain from receiving, should they become unable to make such decisions in the future. These orders ensure that a patient's wishes about treatment are known and followed if they cannot speak for themselves due to incapacitating illness or injury.

All New Yorkers should be made aware of their ability to execute advance directives. By adding a question on an application for a driver's license or non-driver identification cards, regarding whether an individual has executed an advance directive New York can raise awareness about advance directives. Nothing in this legislation would require an individual to complete an advance directive. Rather, it would simply ask applicants if they have completed a health care proxy or living will. This will help to raise awareness regarding the need for an advance directive. All individuals in good health should consider preparing an advance directive in case of sudden accident or illness.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

Undetermined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the amendments to subdivision 2 of section 490 of the vehicle and traffic law made by section one of this act shall be subject to the expiration and reversion of such subdivision pursuant to section 6 of chapter 465 of the laws of 2012, as amended, when upon such date the provisions of section two of this act shall take effect; and provided further that section four of this act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become law, and section five of this act shall take effect October 3, 2017.