What's happening
This bill bans selling or using video streaming devices visible to drivers while vehicles are moving.
Why it matters
Statewide Impact on Retailers, Manufacturers, and Drivers. The bill applies to all of New York, affecting anyone who manufactures, distributes, sells, or uses video streaming devices that can display video to drivers while a vehicle is moving. This includes car dealerships, electronics retailers (including secondhand dealers), and individuals who might purchase or use such devices.
New Legal Liabilities and Enforcement. The bill creates new civil penalties (up to $500 per violation) and empowers the state attorney general to seek injunctions against violators—meaning businesses face real legal and financial risks if they sell or lease these devices. The Department of Motor Vehicles is also directed to create rules for enforcement, signaling a likely increase in compliance checks and possible road enforcement.
Broader Definition of Banned Devices. By updating the state’s definition of “portable electronic device” to explicitly include streaming-capable infotainment screens and any similar device visible to drivers, the law closes loopholes in previous distracted driving statutes. This is a significant expansion from just handheld devices and could impact new vehicle technologies and aftermarket products, making it much harder for drivers to legally stream video while driving in New York.
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Who cares
Automobile Manufacturers and Aftermarket Device Makers
Companies that produce or sell infotainment systems and aftermarket streaming devices are directly affected, as the bill bans the sale of devices that allow video streaming on vehicle center consoles or other screens viewable by drivers while driving.
Retailers, Distributors, and Secondhand Dealers
Businesses involved in the sale, lease, or resale of in-car streaming devices will need to remove these products from their offerings or risk civil penalties.
Motor Vehicle Operators/Drivers
Anyone who drives in New York would be impacted by the new prohibition against using streaming devices that display video on screens visible to the driver while the vehicle is in motion, changing what tech they can use in their vehicles.
Traffic Safety Advocates and Law Enforcement
Groups and agencies concerned with road safety have a stake in the bill, as it aims to reduce distracted driving by limiting access to streaming video for drivers, potentially lowering accident rates.
Headline styles
Ban Vehicle Streaming Devices
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to rules
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10697
IN SENATE
September 11, 2026
Introduced by Sen. BYNOE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the general business law and the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to enacting the "vehicle streaming device ban" act
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 392-l to read as follows:
§ 392-l. Prohibit the sale of any device capable of allowing access to streaming of video on the infotainment screen equipped to the center console of such vehicle or any screen otherwise in direct view of the driver of such vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. 1. For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Streaming device" shall mean any device capable of allowing access to streaming of video on the infotainment screen equipped to the center console of such vehicle or any screen otherwise in direct view of the driver of such vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.
(b) "Distributor" shall mean any person who delivers to a person other than purchaser, for the purpose of retail sale.
(c) "Manufacturer" shall mean any person who makes and places into the stream of commerce any device capable of allowing access to streaming of video on the infotainment screen equipped to the center console of such vehicle or any screen otherwise in direct view of the driver of such vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.
(d) "Retailer" shall have the same meaning as set forth in subdivision eleven of section four hundred ninety-a of this chapter.
(e) "Secondhand dealer" shall have the same meaning as set forth in subdivision six of section four hundred ninety-a of this chapter.
(f) "Person" shall mean a natural person, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, or an employee or agent of a natural person or an entity included in this definition.
2. No manufacturer, importer, distributor, wholesaler, retailer or secondhand dealer shall sell, lease, offer for sale, or offer for lease in this state any streaming device as defined in this section.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16349-04-6
3. (a) On or after the effective date of this section, no operator of a motor vehicle shall utilize any streaming device, as defined in paragraph (a) of subdivision one of this section, while the vehicle is in motion.
(b) The commissioner of motor vehicles shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this subdivision, with respect to the ban on the streaming devices under this section.
4. Whenever there shall be a violation of subdivision two of this section an application may be made by the attorney general in the name of the people of the state of New York to a court or justice having jurisdiction by a special proceeding to issue an injunction, and upon notice to the defendant of not less than five days, to enjoin and restrain the continuance of such violations; and if it shall appear to the satisfaction of the court or justice that the defendant has, in fact, violated this section, an injunction may be issued by the court or justice, enjoining and restraining any further violations, without requiring proof that any person has, in fact, been injured or damaged thereby. In any such proceeding, the court may make allowances to the attorney general as provided in paragraph six of subdivision (a) of section eighty-three hundred three of the civil practice law and rules, and direct restitution. Whenever the court shall determine that a violation of subdivision two of this section has occurred, the court may impose a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars for each violation. Each sale of a streaming device in violation of this section shall constitute a separate violation. In connection with any such proposed application, the attorney general is authorized to take proof and make a determination of the relevant facts and to issue subpoenas in accordance with the civil practice law and rules.
§ 2. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 1225-d of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by section 8 of part C of chapter 58 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows:
(a) "Portable electronic device" shall mean any [hand-held] handheld mobile telephone, as defined by subdivision one of section twelve hundred twenty-five-c of this article, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with mobile data access, laptop computer, pager, broadband personal communication device, two-way messaging device, electronic game, [or] portable computing device, any device capable of allowing access to streaming of video on the infotainment screen equipped to the center console of such vehicle or any screen otherwise in direct view of the driver of such vehicle while the vehicle is in motion, or any other electronic device when used to input, write, send, receive, or read text for present or future communication.
§ 3. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of the legislature that this act would have been enacted even if such invalid provisions had not been included herein.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law and the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to enacting the "vehicle streaming device ban" act
Purpose
The purpose of this act is to ban the sale and use of certain devices which allow video streaming on a vehicles center console or infotainment center while a vehicle is in motion.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill amends the General Business Law by adding a new section 392-1, which reads as follows:
Read the full memo (1,053 words)
§ 392-1. Prohibit the sale of any device capable of allowing access to streaming of video on the infotainment screen equipped to the center console of such vehicle or any screen otherwise in direct view of the driver of such vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.
1. For the purposes of this section: (a) "streaming device" shall mean any device capable of allowing access to streaming of video on the info- tainment screen equipped to the center console of such vehicle or any screen otherwise in direct view of the driver of such vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.
(b) "Distributor" shall mean any person who delivers to a person other than purchaser, for the purpose of retail sale.
(c) "Manufacturer" shall mean any person who makes and places into the stream of commerce any device capable of allowing access to streaming of video on the infotainment screen equipped to the center console of such vehicle or any screen otherwise in direct view of the driver of such vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.
(d) "Retailer" shall have the same meaning as set forth in subdivision eleven of section four hundred ninety-a of this chapter.
(e) "Secondhand dealer" shall have the same meaning as set forth in subdivision six of section four hundred ninety-a of this chapter.
(f) "Person" shall mean a natural person, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, or an employee or agent of a natural person or an entity included in this definition.
2. No manufacturer, importer, distributor, wholesaler, retailer or secondhand dealer shall sell, lease, offer for sale, or offer for lease in this state any such streaming device, pursuant to this act.
3. (a) On or after the effective date of this section, no operator of a motorized vehicle may utilize any streaming device, as defined by para- graph a of subdivision one of this act.
(b) The director of the department of motor vehicles shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this subdivision, with respect to the ban on the streaming devices laid forth under this act.
4. Penalties. Whenever there shall be a violation of subdivision two of this section an application may be made by the attorney general in the name of the people of the state of New York to a court or justice having jurisdiction by a special proceeding to issue an injunction, and upon notice to the defendant of not less than five days, to enjoin and restrain the continuance of such violations; and if it shall appear to the satisfaction of the court or justice that the defendant has, in fact, violated this section, an injunction may be issued by the court or justice, enjoining and restraining any further violations, without requiring proof that any person has, in fact, been injured or damaged thereby. In any such proceeding, the court may make allowances to the attorney general as provided in paragraph six of subdivision (a) of section eighty-three hundred three of the civil practice law and rules, and direct restitution. Whenever the court shall determine that a violation of subdivision two of this section has occurred, the court may impose a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars for each violation. Each sale of a streaming device in violation of this section shall constitute a separate violation. In connection with any such proposed application, the attorney general is authorized to take proof and make a determination of the relevant facts and to issue subpoenas in accordance with the civil practice law and rules.
5. If any provision of this section or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held unconstitutional, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this section which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this section are severable.
Section 2 amends subdivision 2 of section 1225-d of the Vehicle and Traffic law by adding new language to part (a), which reads as follows:
"(a) "Portable electronic device" shall mean any hand-held mobile tele- phone, as defined by subdivision one of section twelve hundred twenty- five-c of this article, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with mobile data access, laptop computer, pager, broadband personal communication device, two-way messaging device, electronic game, or portable computing device, any device capable of allowing access to streaming of video on the infotainment screen equipped to the center console of such vehicle or any screen otherwise in direct view of the driver of such vehicle while the vehicle is in motion, or any other electronic device when used to input, write, send, receive, or read text for present or future communication."
Section 3 establishes that this act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
Distracted driving remains a significant threat to the safety of motor- ists, passengers, pedestrians, construction/roadway workers, and bicy- clists throughout New York State. While modern vehicles are equipped with technology designed to limit the display of video content while a vehicle is in motion, the availability of devices and technologies that work around these safety restrictions creates a serious risk of driver distraction.
This legislation would prohibit the sale of technology or devices designed to override restrictions on a vehicle's console system that prevents drivers from accessing streaming services or videos while driv- ing. These safety restrictions are intended to keep drivers' attention focused on the roadway.
Allowing drivers to watch movies, television programs, streaming services, or other video content while operating a vehicle creates a substantial distraction and can significantly reduce a driver's ability to observe changing traffic conditions. Even a momentary lapse in atten- tion can have serious consequences, particularly at highway speeds or in congested areas.
Legislative history
New Legislation
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.