BILL NUMBER: S5394
SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to additional
equipment requirements for stretch limousines
 
PURPOSE:
Establishes additional equipment requirements for stretch limousines to
increase safety for passengers.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This legislation amends the vehicle and traffic law to include the
necessary quantity of window break tools and operational fire extin-
guishers, as determined by the department of transportation in consulta-
tion with the department of motor vehicles, for the operation of stretch
limousines.
The bill defines stretch limousine as an altered motor vehicle having a
seating capacity of nine or more passengers and excludes a historical
motor vehicle or exhibition or collector's item.
Additionally, the bill defines a window breaking tool as a tool that can
be used to open windows of a stretch limousine in the event of an emer-
gency that can be safely stored when not in use.
 
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. In the event of an accident, having window
breaking tools and fire extinguishers within a stretch limousine will
provide a greater opportunity for escape and the ability to limit or
eliminate injury to passengers.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024; Held in Senate Rules Committee.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect two years after it has become law. Effective
immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regu-
lation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective
date.

Statutes affected:
S5394: 375 vehicle and traffic law