What's happening
This bill creates a "yellow alert system" for quickly broadcasting information about fatal hit-and-run incidents to aid investigations.
Why it matters
Expands rapid public notification for fatal hit-and-runs. The bill mandates that police quickly share key details about vehicles and drivers suspected in fatal hit-and-run incidents, increasing the likelihood of locating suspects and gathering public tips while memories and evidence are fresh.
Leverages both police networks and public broadcasts. By requiring information to be shared over police communication systems and possibly broadcast to the public, the system increases community awareness and encourages more eyes to help identify suspects or vehicles involved.
Includes safeguards for ongoing investigations. Police retain discretion to withhold information if releasing it could compromise the investigation, put victims at risk, or if there is another valid reason, balancing transparency with investigative needs.
Addresses gaps in law enforcement communication. The bill allows agencies not directly connected to the main alert system to relay information through the nearest electronic entry point, reducing delays and ensuring broader dissemination across different jurisdictions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Hit-and-Run Alert System
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Print number 5261b
- Amend and recommit to governmental operations
- Print number 5261a
- Amend and recommit to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
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.
Create Hit-and-Run Alert
In Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Marisol Alcantara
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 4257--B A. 5261--B
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
February 7, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. ALCANTARA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. DE LA ROSA, RAIA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- again reported from said committee with amendments, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to the creation of a "yellow alert system"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 221 of the executive law is amended by adding a new subdivision 4 to read as follows:
4. When any police officer, peace officer or police agency in the state shall receive a report of a violation of subdivision two of section six hundred of the vehicle and traffic law resulting in the death of a person, and there is a description of the vehicle or vehicles involved or of the operator or operators of such vehicle or vehicles involved in the violation of such subdivision, such police officer, peace officer or police agency shall, as appropriate, cause information concerning any such vehicle or vehicles and the person or persons suspected of operating such vehicle or vehicles to be promptly dispatched over the police communication system within the geographic area requested by the law enforcement agency and may be broadcast to the public. Police agencies not connected with the basic system may transmit such information to the nearest or most convenient electronic entry
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08568-05-7
S. 4257--B 2 A. 5261--B
point, from which point it shall be promptly dispatched, in conformity with the orders, rules or regulations governing the system. No dispatch or transmission of a report concerning any such vehicle or operator shall be required by this subdivision if the investigating police department advises, in its discretion, that the release of such information may jeopardize the investigation or the safety of a victim, or requests a reasonable forbearance for any reason.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
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.