What's happening
This bill creates a "yellow alert system" in New York to rapidly share information about deadly hit-and-run incidents.
Why it matters
Facilitates Faster Public Warnings. By requiring law enforcement to rapidly share vehicle and suspect descriptions after a deadly hit-and-run, the system aims to quickly alert both police and the public, potentially increasing the chances of apprehending offenders before they can escape or hide evidence.
Improves Coordination Across Agencies. The bill ensures information is disseminated via the police communication network and, if necessary, relayed through the nearest electronic entry point—encouraging better coordination and faster information sharing among different police departments.
Balances Public Safety with Investigative Needs. The legislation includes a safeguard allowing police to withhold or delay public alerts if releasing information could jeopardize an investigation or victim safety, providing needed flexibility for law enforcement.
Targets Serious Offenses. The alert system is specifically triggered by violations resulting in death, focusing resources and public attention on the most severe hit-and-run cases, which may help deter such crimes and support justice for victims.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Hit-and-Run Alert
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to finance
- Print number 4257b
- Amend and recommit to finance
- Print number 4257a
- Amend and recommit to finance
- Referred to finance
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 System
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Carmen De La Rosa
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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the creation of a "yellow alert system"
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill will establish a "yellow alert system," for law enforcement to publicize vehicle information in instances of hit-and-run accidents.
Summary of specific provisions
§ 1 amends, § 221 of the executive law to give police officers, peace officers, and police agencies in the state the discretion to dispatch information regarding vehicles involved in a hit-and-run incident from which a person was killed or has suffered serious bodily injury, over the police communication system. If a police agency is not connected to the police communication system, they may transmit such information to the nearest or most convenient electronic entry point. After being dispatched over the aforementioned communication system or electronic entry point, this information can be broadcast to the public by means of, but not limited to: e-mail notifications; highway signs; text messages; telephone calls; television; or radio. In situations where the investigating police department advises that the release of such information may jeopardize the investigation or the safety of the victim, or requests forbearances for any other reason, no dispatch or transmission of information will be required.
§ 2 sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Approximately 40,000 hit-and-run incidents occur yearly in New York City, with 4,000 causing personal injury. In 2015, 48 hit-and-run incidents in New York City were designated as "catastrophic," meaning that they resulted in death or serious injury. Of these, only 28 resulted in prosecution of any sort. An important reason why so few hit-and-run incidents have led to prosecution is that those involved, who cause the serious injury or death in question, often evade the scene of the incident.
For victims and their families, a fatal or injurious hit-and-run is an exceedingly tragic event. This legislation will work to increase the likelihood that justice meets the perpetrator of these tragic occurrences.
By establishing the "yellow alert system," police agencies and depart- ments will be able to inform the public of vehicle information related to hit-and-run incidents, and therefore gain a vital tool in their efforts to apprehend those who choose to leave the scene of a hit-and-run incident. Furthermore, police agencies and departments will be granted the autonomy to decide if and how information is disseminated. This implies that if police agencies have existing systems and procedures for broadcasting public alerts, they can utilize them.
Prior legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
Possible fiscal implications for police agencies and departments without existing systems and procedures for broadcasting public alerts. EFFECTIVE DATE : Shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.