What's happening
This bill requires vehicle inspections to check for unsafe carbon monoxide levels and mandates educational pamphlets on carbon monoxide poisoning to be distributed with driver's licenses.
Why it matters
Targets a significant but often overlooked vehicle safety hazard by requiring inspections to check for carbon monoxide (CO) leaks in the passenger cabin, with a specific threshold (70 ppm), potentially catching dangerous exhaust problems before they harm drivers or passengers.
Could help prevent accidental CO poisoning deaths and illnesses, which can happen gradually and go unnoticed, especially in older or poorly maintained vehicles—making this a direct intervention to save lives.
Mandates statewide education on the symptoms and risks of CO poisoning for all drivers at the point of license issuance or renewal, raising public awareness and empowering individuals to recognize and respond to potential poisoning early.
May lead to increased attention and accountability for both individual vehicle owners and inspection stations regarding exhaust system maintenance, potentially influencing broader standards for vehicle safety and emissions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Test Cabs for Carbon Monoxide
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.
Test Cabs for Carbon Monoxide
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Latrice Walker
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6236
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- 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 carbon monoxide poisoning
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph (a) of paragraph 1 of subdivision (c) of section 301 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by section 5 of part V1 of chapter 62 of the laws of 2003, is amended to read as follows:
(a) A safety inspection shall be made with respect to the brakes; steering mechanism; wheel alignment; lights, including but not limited to the lights which are designed and placed on a vehicle for the purpose of illuminating the vehicle's license plates; odometer; tire pressure; seat safety belts; shoulder harness safety belts; exhaust system for the purposes of ensuring that carbon monoxide levels in the cab of the vehicle have not reached unsafe levels in excess of 70 parts per million and such other mechanisms and equipment as shall be determined by the commissioner to be necessary for proper and safe operations. Such inspection shall also be made with respect to vehicle identification number. Upon inspection, the mileage appearing on the odometer shall be recorded upon the inspection sticker.
§ 2. Subparagraph (a) of paragraph 1 of subdivision (c) of section 301 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 444 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
(a) A safety inspection shall be made with respect to the brakes; steering mechanism; wheel alignment; lights, including but not limited to the lights which are designed and placed on a vehicle for the purpose of illuminating the vehicle's license plates; odometer; tire pressure; seat safety belts; shoulder harness safety belts; exhaust system for the purposes of ensuring that carbon monoxide levels in the cab of the vehi-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06163-01-7
S. 6236 2
cle have not reached unsafe levels in excess of 70 parts per million; any window which is composed of, covered by or treated with any material which has a light transmittance of less than seventy percent pursuant to section three hundred seventy-five of this title and such other mechanisms and equipment as shall be determined by the commissioner to be necessary for proper and safe operations. Such inspection shall also be made with respect to vehicle identification number. Upon inspection, the mileage appearing on the odometer shall be recorded upon the inspection sticker.
§ 3. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 397-c to read as follows:
§ 397-c. Education against dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. The commissioner, in consultation with the chair of the consumer protection board, shall prepare and distribute with each operator's license, whether issued or renewed, a pamphlet on the warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning and the appropriate actions to be taken to prevent such accidental poisoning.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that if chapter 444 of the laws of 2016 shall not have taken effect on or before such date then section two of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as such chapter of the laws of 2016 takes effect; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
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 carbon monoxide poisoning
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would require safety inspections include a check of the exhaust system for the purposes of ensuring that carbon monoxide levels in the cab of the vehicle have not reached unsafe levels in excess of 70 ppm. This bill also ensures education against dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning to be given at the time of a new or renewal of a driver's license
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends subparagraph (a) of paragraph 1 of subdivision (c) of section 301 of the vehicle and traffic law to include a safety inspection of an exhaust system for the purposes of ensuring that carbon monoxide levels in the cab of the vehicle has not reached unsafe levels in excess of 70ppm.
Section 2 amends the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new section 397-c: the Commissioner in consultation with the chair of the consumer protection board, shall prepare and distribute with each operator's license, whether issued or renewed, a pamphlet on the warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning and the appropriate actions to be taken to prevent such accidental poisoning.
Justification
Carbon monoxide has been called the "silent killer." Due to its odorless nature, victims are not aware of the danger around them. Carbon monoxide education and safety inspections are not currently required. This bill addresses both the mechanical and educational component of this issue. It tries to protect the consumer by requiring a safety inspection of CO2 emissions. Further, it tries to educate the consumer on the warning signs and actions to take to prevent poisoning.
Prior legislative history
2011-12: S.1059 Referred to Transportation 2010: S.2079 Referred to Transportation 2008: A.1732A Referred to Transportation 2006: A.1031 Referred to Transportation: 2013-2014, S.1613 Referred to Transportation (Parker)
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.