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History
- Referred to health
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1874
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 7799a
- Amend (t) and recommit to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Directs the commissioner of health, in consultation with the commissioner of motor vehicles, to establish rules and regulations for the operation of ambulances
In Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor Michael Benedetto
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to directing the commissioner of health, in consultation with the commissioner of motor vehicles, to establish rules and regulations for ambulances
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to help ensure the safe transport of ambulatory individuals that are being transported, from or between any health care facility, as well as the safety of the public during such transports. Currently, there are few rules and regulations for ambulances, specifically for drivers of such motor vehicles. This bill directs the commissioner of health and commissioner of motor vehicles to work in together and establish more oversight of such individuals.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends section 206 of the public health law by adding a new subdivision directing the commissioner of health, in consultation with the commissioner of motor vehicles, to establish rules and regulations for ambulances in order to ensure the safety of passengers and the public at large. Further specifies the context of such rules and regulations, stating that they shall include but shall not be limited to, the minimum age of ambulance drivers, the allowable number of consecutive hours an ambulance driver shall work, and the requisite training an ambulance driver shall receive prior to driving any ambulance.
Justification
On March 4, 2015, a woman from City Island was pronounced brain dead and later taken off life support after the ambulance she was riding in crashed. The accident happened as paramedics took her to a rehab facility in Westchester County after brain surgery. The ambulance did not have lights and sirens on, but police said the 19-year-old driver somehow lost control, slamming into a pole. A camera mounted inside the ambulance captured the 19 year-old driver falling asleep behind the wheel just before swerving off the roadway and striking a utility pole. Many EMT's and other emergency workers work long hours and it is not uncommon for them to work many consecutive 12-hour shifts a week. There is currently nothing stopping a driver from working a double shift and further no restrictions on work hours. This legislation establishes the necessary oversight and regulation to prevent such traumatic and reckless accidents.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
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.