What's happening
This bill prohibits drivers from interfering with funeral processions, establishes fines for violations, and limits liability for funeral service providers.
Why it matters
Enhances respect and safety during funeral processions. by making it illegal for non-participating vehicles to cut through or otherwise disrupt these processions, unless directed by police or in emergency situations, reinforcing the solemnity of such events.
Establishes clear, enforceable penalties. by introducing a specific fine (up to $50) for interference, signaling that the state takes violations seriously, but also clarifying that no license points will be assessed for infractions.
Protects funeral service providers from certain liabilities. by ensuring they are not automatically held responsible for injuries or damages caused by others' interference, as long as they act within the scope of their duties and adhere to standard care requirements.
Clarifies responsibilities for all parties. by requiring funeral processions to still operate vehicles responsibly and safely, balancing the rights and duties of both procession participants and other drivers on the road.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Funeral Procession Disruptions
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2152
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 22, 2019
Introduced by Sen. GIANARIS -- 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 interference with a funeral procession
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 1132 to read as follows:
§ 1132. Interference with a funeral procession. (a) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not enter, drive between, obstruct, hinder or in any way interfere with the vehicles constituting a funeral procession while such vehicles are in motion unless such motor vehicle is part of such procession, except when authorized to do so by a police officer or when such motor vehicle is an authorized emergency vehicle exhibiting a visible signal and sounding an audible signal or when complying with the provisions of section eleven hundred forty-four-a of this title.
(b) Any person operating a motor vehicle in violation of subdivision (a) of this section shall be guilty of a traffic infraction and subject to a fine of not more than fifty dollars. The commissioner shall not assess any points against the license of a person found to have violated the provisions of subdivision (a) of this section.
(c) No provision of this section shall be deemed to impose any liability for personal injury or damages resulting from a violation of this section upon a funeral firm or any person licensed or registered pursuant to article thirty-four of the public health law, or any employee or agent thereof, when such firm, person, employee or agent is acting within the scope of his, her or its duties. However, any funeral firm or any person licensed or registered pursuant to article thirty-four of the public health law, or any employee or agent thereof, shall at all times operate motor vehicles in compliance with all standards of care imposed
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04058-01-9
S. 2152 2
to prevent such injuries or damages to persons and/or property of another.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
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 interference with a funeral procession
Summary of specific provisions
The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding new section 1132 which states that a driver of a motor vehicle shall be subject to a fine of no more than fifty dollars for the infraction of entering the single file line of traffic constituting a funeral procession marked by motor vehi- cles displaying their headlights and hazard lights. Exceptions are provided for emergency vehicles, in order to comply with the "move over" law, or when authorized to do so by a police officer.
Justification
Too often, the grieving parties in a motor vehicle funeral procession have their anguish exacerbated by other motorists that cut-off or other- wise interrupt the funeral procession.
The disruptions are not only hurtful, annoying and disrespectful, but also pose serious safety hazards that threaten the wellbeing of those in or near the procession.
This legislation would allow those who are grieving to have the peace of mind and comfort they deserve in their time of need by guaranteeing the integrity of the procession while ensuring the safety of those in the vicinity.
Prior legislative history
2018: Died in Transportation 2017: Died in Transportation 2016: Died in Transportation 2015: Died in Transportation 2014: Died in Senate Transportation Committee 2012: Died in Senate Transportation Committee
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act will take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.