What's happening
This bill requires stretch limousines altered after January 1, 2020 to have seatbelts for all passengers and display seatbelt notices.
Why it matters
Addresses a significant safety gap. By mandating seatbelts for all positions in stretch limousines modified after 2020, the bill targets vehicles that often lack basic passenger protections, especially during crashes.
Applies to newly altered limousines moving forward. The provisions specifically affect stretch limousines altered after January 1, 2020, which means new business models and vehicles entering the market must prioritize passenger safety from the outset.
Increases public awareness and accountability. Requiring clear, visible seatbelt notices for all passengers boosts the likelihood that seatbelts will be used and that both operators and riders understand their availability and importance.
Aligns stretch limousine standards with other commercial vehicles. By grouping stretch limousines with taxicabs and liveries for seatbelt and notice requirements, the bill brings uniformity to safety expectations across commercial passenger vehicles, which may improve overall industry compliance and enforcement.
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Who cares
Stretch limousine owners and operators
The bill would require belts in stretch limousines altered on or after January 1, 2020, including at least two in front and one for each passenger seating position.
Stretch limousine passengers
The bill would require installed belts to remain visible, accessible and in good working order, and prohibit their removal.
Limousine conversion businesses
Vehicles they alter on or after January 1, 2020, would be subject to the bill’s stretch limousine belt requirements.
New York-registered stretch limousine operators
For vehicles altered on or after January 1, 2020, the bill would require a seatbelt availability and buckle-up notice legible and conspicuous from every seating position.
Headline styles
Require Seatbelts in Stretch Limos
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to rules
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6530
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 14, 2019
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the installation of safety belts in stretch limousines, and the posting of notice therein
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 1 of section 383 of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 86 of the laws of 1968, is amended and a new paragraph (d) is added to read as follows:
(c) A motor vehicle manufactured or assembled on or after January first, nineteen hundred sixty-eight, at least one safety belt for each passenger seat position[.];
(d) An altered motor vehicle commonly referred to as a "stretch limousine" which was altered on or after January first, two thousand twenty, at least two safety belts for the front seat, and at least one safety belt for the rear seat for each passenger for which the rear seat of such vehicle was designed, and at least one safety belt for each passenger seat position.
§ 2. Subdivision 4-b of section 383 of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 495 of the laws of 2003, is amended to read as follows:
4-b. Taxicabs [and], liveries, and stretch limousines. All seat safety belts installed in a taxicab or livery vehicle or in an altered motor vehicle commonly referred to as a "stretch limousine" pursuant to this section shall be clearly visible, accessible and maintained in good working order, and no seat safety belt installed in such taxicab or livery vehicle or altered motor vehicle shall be removed therefrom.
§ 3. Subdivision 51 of section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 495 of the laws of 2003, is amended to read as follows:
51. Taxicab [and], livery and stretch limousine notices. (a) Every taxicab [and], livery, and altered motor vehicle commonly referred to as
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01123-05-9
S. 6530 2
a "stretch limousine" which was altered on or after January first, two thousand twenty registered in this state shall have posted therein the following notice: "Seatbelts must be available for your use. Please buckle up."
(b) The notices required to be posted pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision shall be posted in a manner legible and conspicuous to passengers in all seating positions of such vehicles.
§ 4. This act shall take effect January 1, 2020. 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 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 the installation of safety belts in stretch limousines, and the posting of notice therein
Purpose or general idea of bill
To require stretch limousines altered after January 1, 2020 to be equipped with seatbelts, and to require such stretch limousines to post a notice encouraging passengers to wear seatbelts.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one requires the installation of seatbelts in stretch limousines altered on or after January 1, 2020, as follows: at least two seatbelts for the front seat, at least one rear seat seatbelt for each passenger for which the rear seat was designed, and at least one seatbelt for each passenger seat position.
Section two requires that seatbelts installed in such stretch limousines to be clearly visible, accessible, and maintained in good working order, and prohibits the removal of seatbelts in these vehicles.
Section three requires stretch limousines altered on or after January 1, 2020 and registered in the State to have posted therein the following notice, in a manner that is legible and conspicuous to passengers in all seating positions: "Seatbelts must be available for your use. Please buckle up."
Difference between original and amended version (if applicable)
Provisions relating to seatbelt installation and posting of notices in stretch limousines were clarified, a provision relating to the condition of seatbelts in stretch limousines was added, and other provisions were removed.
Justification
Recently, a horrific crash in New York State brought the public's atten- tion to safety concerns surrounding stretch limousines. The accident highlighted the lack of statutory protections for stretch limousine passengers and, therefore, the urgency to enact laws that will help to prevent senseless injuries and deaths in the future.
This legislation amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law to create safety measures related to seatbelts in stretch limousines. Under the provisions of the bill, stretch limousines altered on or after January 1, 2020 would be required to be equipped with seatbelts for all seating positions. All seatbelts so installed will be required to be clearly visible, accessible, and maintained in good working order, and the bill prohibits the removal of seatbelts from these vehicles. Additionally, every stretch limousine altered after January 1, 2020 will be required to post a notice in the vehicle instructing passengers to wear their seatbelts. Under current law, taxis and liveries must post such a notice.
This legislation is necessary in order to promote safety for all those riding in stretch limousines and will help to prevent avoidable, tragic accidents.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect January 1, 2020
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.