What's happening
This bill requires the New York transportation commissioner to install "Special Needs Children At Play" signs in certain city areas.
Why it matters
Highlights the presence of children with special needs in specific neighborhoods, which may encourage drivers to be more attentive and cautious, potentially reducing accidents or dangerous driving behaviors in these areas.
Addresses a gap in current public safety signage by specifically acknowledging children with special needs, who may be at higher risk due to mobility, sensory, or cognitive differences that can affect how they interact with traffic.
Empowers the transportation commissioner to identify and respond to local needs, allowing for targeted placement of signs in areas where children with special needs are most likely to be present, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
May contribute to greater community awareness and inclusion by publicly recognizing and supporting the safety needs of children with disabilities, thereby fostering a more informed and considerate environment.
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Who cares
State transportation commissioner
The bill would require the commissioner to have signs erected in areas the commissioner deems appropriate in cities with at least one million residents.
Children with special needs and their families
The signs would be intended to promote safety for children with special needs in designated areas.
New York City drivers
Drivers would encounter signs reading "Special Needs Children At Play" in locations selected by the commissioner.
Headline styles
Post Special Needs Warning Signs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1750
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred 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.
Post Special Needs Signs
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Michael G. Miller
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3060
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 19, 2017
Introduced by Sen. ADDABBO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the highway law, in relation to directing the commissioner of transportation to erect signs bearing the words "Special Needs Children At Play" in appropriate areas in cities with a population of one million or more
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 10 of the highway law is amended by adding a new subdivision 31-a to read as follows:
31-a. Cause signs to be erected within any area in a city with a population of one million or more that the commissioner deems appropriate, to promote and provide safety for children with special needs. Such signs shall bear the words "Special Needs Children At Play".
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02706-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the highway law, in relation to directing the commissioner of transportation to erect signs bearing the words "Special Needs Children At Play" in appropriate areas in cities with a population of one million or more
Purpose
To provide signs in areas where special needs children reside to alert motorists to their presence.
Summary of provisions
Amends Section 10 of the highway law by adding a new subdivision 31-a.
Justification
Currently, signs may be obtained through the Department of Transportation to alert drivers in areas where blind or deaf children reside. Today, there is an increased awareness of the fact that many children experience additional disabilities, such as autism, which can pose a safety risk for children at play. There have been several tragic incidents whereby children with various types of disabilities have been hit by cars driving too fast. Signs that read
"Special Needs Children At Play" will alert drivers to the fact that children with special needs reside in the area and will serve as a warning for them to slow down and to be aware that a child in the road who has special needs may not be as responsive to horn honking or other warnings as other children may be.
Legislative history
2015: S. 2498 - Referred to Transportation 2016: S. 2498 - Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Local fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.