What's happening
This bill requires the posting of signs and announcements on public transit reserving and prioritizing seats for pregnant, elderly, and disabled passengers.
Why it matters
Raises awareness and encourages public courtesy. by requiring visible, multilingual signs and announcements, making it clear that pregnant, elderly, and disabled riders should be prioritized for seating—potentially shifting social norms around giving up seats.
Promotes accessibility and comfort for vulnerable populations. , ensuring that those who may have physical challenges or health needs are more likely to be accommodated during transit, which can improve their mobility and safety.
Increases consistency across the transit system. by mandating standardized signage and announcements, reducing confusion for riders and making expectations clear regardless of which subway car or bus they're in.
May influence rider behavior without strict enforcement. , relying on frequent reminders and visible cues to foster voluntary compliance, which could lead to a more considerate transit environment.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Post Signs for Priority Seating
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3895
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 20, 2019
Introduced by Sens. RANZENHOFER, SEPULVEDA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to priority seating for pregnant, elderly, and disabled passengers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 1266-l to read as follows:
§ 1266-l. Priority seating for pregnant, elderly, and disabled passengers. 1. The authority shall post signage, which may take the form of a sticker, in each subway car and bus, in the manner and of the size and number, sufficient to be viewed by passengers in all parts of such subway car and bus which states, either graphically or in the languages the authority deems appropriate: "Please give up your seat for pregnant, elderly, or disabled passengers."
2. The authority shall post signage, which may take the form of a sticker, designating certain seats in such subway car and bus as reserved for pregnant, elderly or disabled passengers. Such signage shall state, either graphically or in the languages the authority deems appropriate: "These seats are reserved for pregnant, elderly, and disabled passengers."
3. In addition to the signage required in subdivisions one and two of this section, such information shall be included in any LED banner signs and any announcements made in subway cars or buses.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00528-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to priority seating for pregnant, elderly, and disabled passen- gers
Purpose
This bill requires the MTA to post signage over all mass transit seats indicating that individuals should give up their seats for the elderly, pregnant and disabled riders.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends the Public Authorities Law by adding a new section 1266-k.
Section 2 sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Riding the subway or taking a bus is part of nearly all New York City residents' daily routine. Under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), public transportation authorities are required to make prior- ity seating available for riders with disabilities and senior citizens.
The New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) encourages riders to similarly give up their seats to pregnant individuals. While the MTA already designates a small number of priority seats, many commu- ters fail to give up their seats to priority passengers, who are then forced to stand for the entirety of their commute as a result. This bill will help to encourage commuters to give up their seats for disabled, elderly, and pregnant riders by requiring clear and conspicuous signage above ALL MTA seating, not merely priority seating.
Legislative history
2017-18 - S.6403-A/A.586-A - TRANSPORTATION! W & M
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.