Require Limo Safety Equipment

Section 1. Section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subdivision 58 to read as follows:

58. Anti-intrusion bar and window break tool required in stretch limousines. (a) (i) Every stretch limousine registered in this state shall be equipped with anti-intrusion bars in each door.

(ii) Every stretch limousine registered in this state shall be equipped with a window break tool.

(b) For the purposes of this subdivision:

(i) "Stretch limousine" shall mean an altered motor vehicle having a seating capacity of nine or more passengers, including the driver, commonly referred to as a "stretch limousine" and which is used in the business of transporting passengers for compensation.

(ii) "Anti-intrusion bar" shall mean a bar typically made of metal or steel which is installed into the doors of a stretch limousine for the purposes of minimizing the impact towards occupants in the event of a crash.

(iii) "Window break tool" shall mean a tool intended to facilitate the breaking of windows in a vehicle in the event of an emergency.

§ 2. Subdivision 9 of section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 576 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows:

9. Every omnibus operating upon the public highways of the state having a carrying capacity of [ten] nine or more passengers, shall be equipped with one hand fire extinguisher of at least 4 B:C Underwriters' Laboratories rating or a similar rating by any qualified laboratory or

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

[ ] is old law to be omitted.

LBD03225-01-5

testing organization which meets the criteria of American Society for Testing Materials test E548-76. Fire extinguishers shall be kept in good operating condition at all times and must be mounted in a place readily accessible for use.

§ 3. Paragraph b of subdivision 10 of section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 914 of the laws of 1970, is amended to read as follows:

b. In addition to the above requirements, an omnibus having a capacity of [ten] nine or more passengers registered in this state and manufactured or assembled after July first, nineteen hundred seventy, shall be equipped with a mirror attached to the right side of such vehicle and so adjusted that the driver thereof shall have a clear and full view of the road and condition of traffic behind such vehicle.

§ 4. Severability. If any clause, sentence, subdivision, paragraph, section or part of this act be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, or if any federal agency determines in writing that this act would render New York state ineligible for the receipt of federal funds such judgment or written determination shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, subdivision, paragraph, section or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment or written determination shall have been rendered.

§ 5. This act shall take effect two years after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that this act shall be deemed repealed if any federal agency determines in writing that this act would render New York state ineligible for the receipt of federal funds or any court of competent jurisdiction finally determines that this act would render New York state out of compliance with federal law or regulation. The commissioner of transportation shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon the occurrence of the provisions of section two of this act in order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective data base of the official text of the laws of the state of New York in furtherance of effectuating the provisions of section 44 of the legislative law and section 70-b of the public officers law. 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.