What's happening
This bill creates a program to provide visor communication cards for deaf and hard of hearing drivers to facilitate communication with law enforcement during traffic stops.
Why it matters
Improves safety and understanding during traffic stops. by giving both law enforcement and deaf/hard of hearing drivers a clear tool (the visor card) to bridge communication gaps, potentially reducing misunderstandings and escalation.
Empowers deaf and hard of hearing individuals. by allowing them to request a communication card, making it easier to signal their needs and rights in stressful or urgent situations.
Promotes statewide consistency and awareness. by requiring the Division to not only issue physical cards but also provide an accessible electronic version, ensuring law enforcement agencies and public offices are informed and prepared.
Addresses a specific accessibility gap in everyday life. for the deaf and hard of hearing, recognizing the unique challenges they face on the road and offering a practical, state-supported solution.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Deaf and hard of hearing drivers, including deaf-blind drivers
The bill would provide visor communication cards identifying their hearing status and detailing procedures for assistance during traffic stops.
Division of Criminal Justice Services
The division would develop and maintain the cards, issue them to New York residents on request and make an electronic version available online.
Law enforcement agencies
Officers would have a communication tool outlining procedures for assisting deaf and hard of hearing drivers during traffic stops.
State agencies providing vehicle registration and licensing information
These agencies would receive the electronic card for posting.
Headline styles
Help Deaf Drivers Talk
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to finance
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7958
IN SENATE
March 4, 2020
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a deaf and hard of hearing outreach program to facilitate communication between law enforcement and deaf and hard of hearing individuals
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 837-u to read as follows:
§ 837-u. Deaf and hard of hearing outreach program. 1. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Deaf and hard of hearing" shall mean a person who has partial or complete loss of hearing, including individuals who are deaf-blind.
(b) "Visor communication card" shall mean such identification as issued by the division which identifies the driver as deaf and hard of hearing, as defined in this section, and which details the appropriate procedures for assisting a deaf and hard of hearing driver during a traffic stop as promulgated by the division pursuant to this section.
2. The division shall develop and maintain visor communication cards for the purpose of improving communication between law enforcement and deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Any person residing in this state shall, upon request, be issued a visor communication of a design approved by the commissioner. Application for such visor communication card shall be filed with the division in such form and detail as the commissioner shall prescribe.
3. The division shall make available an electronic version of the visor communication card on their website. The division shall disseminate for the purpose of posting such electronic version to law enforcement agencies and other state agencies where the public may obtain information regarding motor vehicle registration and licenses.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01595-02-0
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a deaf and hard of hearing outreach program to facilitate communication between law enforcement and deaf and hard of hearing individuals
PURPOSE::
This bill will create a program to develop and distribute visor communi- cation cards to deaf and hard of hearing individuals to help improve communication with law enforcement.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS::
Section 1 of the bill amends the executive law by adding a new section 837-t that establishes a program to develop and maintain visor communi- cation cards to help improve communication between law enforcement and deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Any New York State resident may apply and receive a visor communication card. The division of criminal justice will be responsible for the development and distribution of the visor communication cards and shall make an electronic version available on their website.
Section 2 of the bill relates to the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION::
Visor communication cards will enhance the ability of law enforcement officers to communicate with hard of hearing or deaf individuals during a traffic stop. It is important that law enforcement officers and emer- gency personnel are aware that such motorists may not hear verbal commands, nor respond as anticipated. Visor communication cards will create a safer interaction between law enforcement and hard of hearing or deaf individuals by improving their lines of communication. In addi- tion, the online availability of the visor communication cards shall make the program more transparent and accessible.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
A.1218-A of 2017-18, A.7387 of 2015-16
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
To be determined.
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.