What's happening
This bill creates a statewide next of kin registry for emergency contact information accessible by police, EMS, and physicians.
Why it matters
Improves Emergency Response. By giving first responders and physicians fast, secure access to a person’s emergency contacts, the registry could reduce delays in notifying families after accidents or medical crises, potentially leading to quicker support and decision-making.
Empowers Individuals. The voluntary, online system allows New Yorkers to choose and update up to two emergency contacts, giving people control over who is notified if they are incapacitated, rather than relying on outdated or incomplete DMV records.
Protects Privacy. The law makes all registry information confidential and not subject to public records requests, balancing the need for rapid emergency notification with strong privacy protections for participants.
Streamlines Notification Process. Police are explicitly required to check the registry and, when possible, notify emergency contacts about the event and the hospital or location of the injured person, making the process more consistent and reliable statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Emergency Contact Registry
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1373
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 14, 2019
Introduced by Sens. RITCHIE, GALLIVAN -- 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 next of kin registry for holders of drivers' licenses, learners' permits and non-driver identification cards and to authorize certain medical providers to access such registry
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 215-a to read as follows:
§ 215-a. Next of kin registry. 1. The commissioner shall establish and operate, within the department, an automated, statewide internet accessible website to be known as the "next of kin registry". Such registry shall be capable of storing emergency contact information of the holders of drivers' licenses, learners' permits and non-driver identification cards to be accessible by police officers, emergency medical services and treating physicians pursuant to section six hundred seven of this chapter. Any holder of a driver's license, learner's permit or non-driver identification card may voluntarily submit, via an internet website established therefor, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two emergency contacts for inclusion in the next of kin registry.
2. In the implementation of the next of kin registry, the commissioner shall establish a process whereby any holder of a driver's license, learner's permit or non-driver identification card may electronically sign into the department internet website using his or her license, permit or card number. Thereafter, such holder may enter his or her emergency contact information for not more than two emergency contact persons, or may revise or update previously entered emergency contact information.
3. Information in the next of kin registry shall be made available solely for the use of police officers, emergency medical services and
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03919-01-9
S. 1373 2
treating physicians pursuant to section six hundred seven of this chapter. The information in the next of kin registry shall be deemed to be confidential and shall not be subject to disclosure pursuant to article six of the public officers law.
4. For the purposes of this section, "emergency contact" shall mean any person, eighteen years of age or older, designated by the holder of a driver's license, learner's permit or non-driver identification card to be contacted by a police agency when such holder is rendered unable to communicate due to physical injury, death or incapacitation.
§ 2. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 607 to read as follows:
§ 607. Notification of emergency contacts. When a motor vehicle accident or any other event results in physical injury, death or incapacitation of any person, the police officer investigating such accident or event shall attempt to locate an emergency contact of the injured person from the next of kin registry established pursuant to section two hundred fifteen-a of this chapter. A police officer shall, when practicable, expeditiously notify an emergency contact of each such injured person and inform the emergency contact of the hospital or other location at which the injured person has been taken.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, any actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such 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 establishing a next of kin registry for holders of drivers' licenses, learners' permits and non-driver identification cards and to authorize certain medical providers to access such registry
Purpose
To create a "next of kin registry" in the State of New York.
Summary
Section 1 amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new section (215-a) in order to require the commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to establish and operate a statewide internet accessible website known as the "next of kin registry." The commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles is required to create a system by which the license/ID holder can sign in using their card number and add emergency contacts who are 18 years or older. The emergency contact will be contacted by an investigating police officer in the event of an accident pursuant to the new Section 607 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law provided for in Section 2 of this legislation.
Section 2 creates a new Section 607 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law in order to provide notification of emergency contacts.
Section 3 provides the effective date.
Justification
In the event of a motor vehicle accident, family members of the victims should be informed in a timely manner. The current law provides no way for police officers to find contact information for a victims' emergency contacts in the event of an accident.
This bill establishes a statewide internet site to be known as the "next of kin registry." Holders of drivers' licenses, learners' permits and non-driver identification cards will be able to visit the website and use their card number to register up to two emergency contacts. The emergency contacts must be 18 years or older. In the event of an acci- dent resulting in physical injury, death, or incapacitation, the inves- tigating police officer will then attempt to contact the emergency contact(s) provided for in the online registry. Furthermore, this bill specifically provides protection for registrants from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Law. This legislation will also allow New York State's Department of Motor Vehicles to apply a similar system to other states' online registries for "next of kin" emergency contacts.
Motor vehicle accidents are traumatic for victims and their family members. In our technological age, it is inexcusable that anything prevent the prompt notice of victims' next of kin in the event of an accident resulting in physical injury, death, or incapacitation. This legislation provides that notice in safe and efficient manner.
Legislative history
2011-2012: S.5276 Passed the Senate / A.8021 Referred to Transportation 2013-2014: S.1948 Passed the Senate / A.9120 Referred to Transportation 2015-2016: S.2396-A Passed the Senate/ A.6939-A 2017-2018: S.1910A/7313A
Fiscal impact
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become law; provided, that, effective immediately, any actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effec- tive date are authorized 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.