What's happening
This bill prohibits drivers from interfering with funeral processions and sets a fine for violations, with exceptions for emergencies.
Why it matters
Creates a specific traffic rule protecting funeral processions. The bill makes it illegal for other drivers to cut into, block, or otherwise interfere with vehicles in a funeral procession, unless directed by police or in case of emergency vehicles, ensuring greater respect and safety for mourners.
Limits penalties to a fine with no license points. Violators face a fine of up to $50 but will not have points added to their driver's license, reflecting the law’s focus on deterrence and respect rather than severe punishment.
Clarifies liability for funeral homes and staff. Funeral directors and their employees are shielded from being held liable for injuries or damages caused by another driver’s violation of this law, as long as they act within their professional duties and still operate vehicles with reasonable care.
Establishes clear exceptions for emergencies. The law explicitly allows emergency vehicles with lights and sirens, and situations involving police direction, to interrupt a procession, balancing public safety needs with the intent to protect funeral rituals.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Funeral Procession Disruptions
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- 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.
Ban Funeral Procession Interference
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Aravella Simotas
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3160
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 20, 2017
Introduced by Sen. GIANARIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to interference with a funeral procession
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 1132 to read as follows:
§ 1132. Interference with a funeral procession. (a) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not enter, drive between, obstruct, hinder or in any way interfere with the vehicles constituting a funeral procession while such vehicles are in motion unless such motor vehicle is part of such procession, except when authorized to do so by a police officer or when such motor vehicle is an authorized emergency vehicle exhibiting a visible signal and sounding an audible signal or when complying with the provisions of section eleven hundred forty-four-a of this title.
(b) Any person operating a motor vehicle in violation of subdivision (a) of this section shall be guilty of a traffic infraction and subject to a fine of not more than fifty dollars. The commissioner shall not assess any points against the license of a person found to have violated the provisions of subdivision (a) of this section.
(c) No provision of this section shall be deemed to impose any liability for personal injury or damages resulting from a violation of this section upon a funeral firm or any person licensed or registered pursuant to article thirty-four of the public health law, or any employee or agent thereof, when such firm, person, employee or agent is acting within the scope of his, her or its duties. However, any funeral firm or any person licensed or registered pursuant to article thirty-four of the public health law, or any employee or agent thereof, shall at all times operate motor vehicles in compliance with all standards of care imposed
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04538-01-7
S. 3160 2
to prevent such injuries or damages to persons and/or property of another.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to interference with a funeral procession
Summary of specific provisions
The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding new section 1132 which states that a driver of a motor vehicle shall be subject to a fine of no more than fifty dollars for the infraction of entering the single file line of traffic constituting a funeral procession marked by motor vehicles displaying their headlights and hazard lights. Exceptions are provided for emergency vehicles, in order to comply with the "move over" law, or when authorized to do so by a police officer.
Justification
Too often, the grieving parties in a motor vehicle funeral procession have their anguish exacerbated by other motorists that cut-off or otherwise interrupt the funeral procession.
The disruptions are not only hurtful, annoying and disrespectful, but also pose serious safety hazards that threaten the wellbeing of those in or near the procession.
This legislation would allow those who are grieving to have the peace of mind and comfort they deserve in their time of need by guaranteeing the integrity of the procession while ensuring the safety of those in the vicinity.
Prior legislative history
2016: Died in Transportation 2015: Died in Transportation 2014: Senate Bill 604 (Gianaris) - Died in Senate Transportation Committee 2012: Senate Bill 2526 (Gianaris) - Died in Senate Transportation Committee 2012: Assembly Bill 4907 (Simotas) - Died in Assembly Transportation Committee 2010: Assembly Bill 5342 (Gianaris) - Died in Assembly Transportation Committee 2008: Assembly Bill 10394-A (Gianaris) - Died in Assembly Transportation Committee
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act will take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.