BILL NUMBER: S1367
SPONSOR: MARTINEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to pre-trip
safety briefings for drivers of stretch limousines
 
PURPOSE:
Similar to airline protocols or other commercial ride vessels, this
legislation will require an operator of an altered motor vehicle common-
ly referred to as "stretch limousines" to provide a pre-trip safety
briefing for passengers either verbally or in writing. The addition of
this requirement could save lives by providing necessary safety informa-
tion for passengers. The form and content of the briefing will be deter-
mined by the Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Transportation,
and Division of State Police.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This legislation amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law to require the
Department of Motor Vehicles to regulate and update the content for
motor carriers operating stretch limousines to offer pre-trip safety
briefings to passengers. Additionally, this subdivision requires the
Department to coordinate with the Department of Transportation and State
Police in developing the briefings' content.
This legislation also directs motor carriers to regularly check to
ensure that drivers demonstrate their proficiency in providing the safe-
ty briefing if the Department of Motor Vehicles requires a live briefing
to be provided.
 
EXISTING LAW:
None.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The legislation implements this recommendation from the Stretch Limou-
sine Passenger Safety Task Force, which was established in Chapter 3 of
the Laws of 2020 to study a host of safety improvements for stretch
limousines. The Task Force was created in the wake of deadly crashes in
Schoharie and Cutchogue, NY.
Stretch limousines are the vehicle of choice for celebratory occasions,
from family events, to birthdays, to weddings, to the annual ritual of
prom. But they also present unique challenges that implicate the safety
of drivers and passengers alike.
As with any area where multiple state agencies must collaborate, period-
ic review of inter-agency and external communication is critical to
ensure passenger safety.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a 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.

Statutes affected:
S1367: 509-g vehicle and traffic law, 509-m vehicle and traffic law