What's happening
This bill requires anyone operating an aircraft in New York to take a breathalyzer test before boarding and prohibits operation if blood alcohol is 0.08% or higher.
Why it matters
Enhances aviation safety. By mandating breathalyzer tests for all aircraft operators before boarding, the bill aims to prevent impaired individuals from piloting, reducing the risk of accidents caused by alcohol consumption.
Aligns with road safety standards. The 0.08% blood alcohol content (BAC) threshold mirrors the legal limit for drivers, extending similar expectations of sobriety and public safety from roadways to airspace.
Increases accountability and enforcement. Requiring a pre-boarding breathalyzer establishes a clear, enforceable checkpoint for sobriety, potentially deterring would-be violators and making it easier for authorities to identify and stop intoxicated pilots before takeoff.
Potential operational impacts. This requirement could affect flight preparation procedures, especially for private pilots, flight schools, and small airfields, introducing new protocols and possibly causing delays or logistical challenges.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Breathalyzers for Pilots Required
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Multi-sponsors
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.
Breathalyzer Required for Pilots
In Senate Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Phil Boyle
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3750
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 31, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ, D'URSO, GALEF, HUNTER, BLAKE, JEAN-PIERRE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, HYNDMAN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring any person operating an aircraft to submit to a breathalyzer
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 241-a to read as follows:
§ 241-a. Breathalyzer requirement. Any person engaging within this state in operating aircraft shall be required to submit to a breathalyzer exam prior to operating such aircraft. Such breathalyzer exam shall occur prior to such individual boarding the aircraft. Any individual that provides a breath sample of .08 of one per centum or more by weight of alcohol in the person's blood shall not be permitted to operate such aircraft.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04368-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.