What's happening
This bill prohibits the sale or promotional distribution of license plate frames that obscure or distort license plates in New York.
Why it matters
Targets products that can help evade traffic enforcement. By defining “covered license plate frame” as anything that conceals, obscures, or distorts a plate or its photographic image, the bill aims to reduce the use of products that help drivers avoid tolls, red light cameras, and speed cameras.
Broad applicability to businesses and individuals. The prohibition applies to any entity—businesses or individuals—offering these frames for sale or as promotional giveaways, closing loopholes for both commercial and free distributions.
Civil penalties create a deterrent. The bill establishes a substantial civil penalty (up to $500 per violation), empowering local authorities to enforce the law and providing a clear disincentive for retailers or promoters to offer these products.
Potential consumer impact and retail compliance. Businesses will need to review their inventory and marketing materials to ensure compliance, and consumers may see fewer questionable aftermarket accessories available for purchase in New York.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Covered Plate Frames
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to economic development
- Referred to economic development
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2560
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 20, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. STECK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Economic Development
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to prohibiting the sale of covered license plate frames
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 391-u to read as follows:
§ 391-u. Sale or promotional distribution of covered license plate frames. 1. No person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, or other entity shall sell or offer to sell or give away, as either a retail or wholesale promotion, a covered license plate frame within New York state.
2. For purposes of this section, "covered license plate frame" means any glass or plastic material, artificial or synthetic material or substance that conceals or obscures a license plate or that distorts a recorded or photographic image of such license plate.
3. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, or other entity that violates the provisions of this section by selling, offering to sell, or giving away as either a retail or wholesale promotion, a covered license plate frame shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars per violation, recoverable in an action by any enforcement authority designated by any municipality or political subdivision.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07653-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.