What's happening
This bill creates a yellow dot program to help emergency responders access medical and contact information for drivers and passengers aged 55 and older.
Why it matters
Improves emergency medical response for older adults. By providing quick access to critical medical and contact information in the event of an accident, this program can help first responders make faster, better-informed decisions—potentially improving outcomes for drivers and passengers aged 55 and up.
Promotes independence and safety for aging drivers. The program enables older adults to continue driving with added reassurance that their specific health needs will be known if an emergency occurs, supporting their mobility and autonomy.
Reduces confusion and delays during emergencies. The standardized yellow dot system makes it clear to emergency personnel where to find essential information, minimizing the time lost searching for documents or trying to communicate with an incapacitated individual.
Encourages public awareness and preparedness. By requiring a consumer education component and making materials widely available, the bill seeks to raise awareness about the importance of sharing medical information and being prepared for emergencies while traveling.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Medical Info in Glove Box
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1500
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- 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.
Medical Info in Cars
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6233
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- 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 establishing a yellow dot program for persons fifty-five years of age or older
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 200 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
3. (a) The commissioner shall establish a yellow dot program for operators and passengers of motor vehicles who are fifty-five years of age or older. Such program shall include the provision of a yellow dot decal, or medical information and emergency contact form, and a durable yellow envelope for such form. The placement of the yellow dot decal on the lower left corner of the rear window of a motor vehicle shall indicate to emergency personnel that the medical and emergency contact information for the occupants of such vehicle may be located in a yellow envelope in the vehicle's glove compartment.
(b) The commissioner, in cooperation with the commissioner of health and the director of the office for the aging, shall create and make available the yellow dot program materials including the medical and emergency contact information form to be used for the yellow dot program and a consumer education program.
(c) The commissioner shall make yellow dot program materials available by mail and at every state and county motor vehicle office.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law, provided that, effective immediately, any action necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02401-01-7
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 establishing a yellow dot program for persons fifty-five years of age or older
Purpose
Directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to establish a yellow dot program under which vehicle occupants' medical information is available in the glove compartment.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one amends section 200 of the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new subdivision three.
Justification
This legislation allows the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to create a "Yellow Dot" program that would alert first respon- ders about a driver's medical condition, facilitating treatment and helping more victims of crashes survive. This program is designed to help victims during the first sixty minutes after a crash, an hour that can make all the difference between life and death. A yellow dot fixed to the driver side rear window of a vehicle would notify emergency personnel of a folder in the glove compartment, alerting them to impor- tant information the victim might be unable to communicate at the time. This program is already present in numerous states including Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Virginia, Connecticut, and Alabama.
Legislative history
2017: S.6233 - Passed Senate / A.8143 - Referred to Transportation 2016: S.3361A - Passed Senate / A.8184 - Referred to Transportation 2015: S.3361A - Passed Senate / A.8184 - Referred to Transportation 2014: S.2484 - Referred to Transportation / A.6171 - Referred to Trans- portation 2012: S.6333 - Referred to Transportation / A.10441 - Referred to Trans- portation
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take which it shall have action necessary to date are authorized effect on the first of April next succeeding the date on become a law, provided that, effective immediately, any implement the provisions of this act on its effective and directed to be completed on or before such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.