BILL NUMBER: S5558
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
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
2021-2022: S4019
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.