What's happening
This bill allows New York clergy members to obtain special license plates displaying the word "Clergy" upon request.
Why it matters
Facilitates easier identification of clergy. By creating an official “Clergy” license plate, the bill enables quick visual recognition of clergy members’ vehicles, which could be relevant in emergencies, hospital visits, or when clergy are called to offer aid or counseling.
Potentially streamlines parking and access in certain situations. Clergy members often need to park near hospitals, places of worship, or at scenes of emergencies. A designated plate may help authorities identify and allow access to these individuals when needed.
Standardizes recognition across denominations. The bill’s language includes all “members of the clergy,” not just specific faiths or denominations, ensuring broad eligibility and preventing religious discrimination in the program.
May raise privacy and security considerations. Since the plates publicly identify the vehicle owner as a clergy member, this could expose individuals to both positive (community trust) and negative (targeting or unwanted attention) consequences.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Clergy License Plates Approved
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4967
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 3, 2017
Introduced by Sen. DIAZ -- 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 providing for distinctive license plates for members of the clergy
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 404-y to read as follows:
§ 404-y. Distinctive plates for members of the clergy. 1. Any member of the clergy residing in this state shall, upon request, be issued a license plate bearing the word "Clergy". Application for said license plate shall be filed with the commissioner in such form and detail as the commissioner shall prescribe.
2. The distinctive plate authorized by this section shall be issued upon proof, satisfactory to the commissioner, that the applicant is a member of the clergy including but not limited to duly ordained chaplains.
3. A distinctive plate issued pursuant to this section shall be issued in the same manner as other number plates upon payment of the regular registration fee prescribed by section four hundred one of this article.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07236-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to providing for distinctive license plates for members of the clergy
Purpose or general idea of bill
To provide members of the clergy with distinctive license plates bearing the word "Clergy".
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new Section 404-x. Provides that members of the clergy, who are duly appointed chaplains, upon request, be issued a license plate bearing the word "Clergy" and that this plate be issued upon payment of the regular registration fee.
Section 2. Effective Date
Existing law
A distinctive license plate for clergy is not included in the section of the Vehicle and Traffic Law providing for such licenses plates.
Justification
Clergy who are called to visit hospitals, jails, nursing homes or homebound seniors often find it difficult or impossible to park. In order to perform their pastoral duties they need reasonable access to those places. These plates would provide notification to any law enforcement personnel that the car owner is a member of the clergy. The "Clergy" license plate will not enable the holder to violate any local parking or traffic regulations.
Prior legislative history
2016: S.259 -REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION 2015: S.259 -REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION 2014: S.262 - Referred to Transportation 2013: S.262 - Referred to Transportation 2012: S.302 Referred to Transportation/ A.2386 - Referred to Transporta- tion 2011: S.302 - Defeated in Transportation/A.2386 - Referred to Transpor- tation 2009-10: S.1982 - Referred to Transportation/A.3064 - Referred to Trans- portation 2008: A.10784 - Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date on which 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.