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Who cares
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Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to local government
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the county law, in relation to requiring public safety answering points to be equipped with a system for processing requests for emergency services via text message
Purpose
To require public safety answering points to be equipped with a system for processing requests for emergency services via text message.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends the county law by adding a new section 336 providing within the next three years each local public safety answering point shall be equipped with an emergency enhanced 911 system approved by the board in a manner that is consistent with federal law, for the processing of requests for emergency services sent via text message.
Section 2 provides this act shall take effect immediately.
Existing law
This is a new law.
Justification
With text messaging becoming the preferred method of communication, especially among younger people, text-to-911 services are increasingly useful for reporting emergencies. The FCC reports that as of May 16, 2014, text-to-911 was available in 16 states, including parts of New York. Vermont and Maine were the only two states with the service available statewide.
Text-to-911 additionally allows those in emergency situations to send photographs, more easily and accurately depicting the scene. Further, those in domestic violence, home invasion and similar emergencies may fear aggravating their perpetrators by calling 911. Text-to-911 allows a safe and quiet method for contacting appropriate authorities.
New York provides a model for the rest of the nation to follow. By requiring the entire state to be equipped for text-to-911 capability within the next three years, New York will send the message that it continues to be ahead of the curve in best utilizing technological advances.
Legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications
Undetermined
Local fiscal implications
Undermined
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.