BILL NUMBER: S6009B
SPONSOR: BASKIN
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general municipal law, the penal law, the arts and
cultural affairs law and the volunteer firefighters' benefit law, in
relation to participants in youth programs sponsored by fire departments
 
PURPOSE:
This bill will allow Fire Department Youth Program Participants to
observe actual fire calls and to gain observational experience. The bill
also addresses criminal and civil liability of the department and its
members by providing exemptions to the Penal Law and Arts and Cultural
Affairs Laws, and requires purchase of insurance protection.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Subdivisions 5 and 7 of section 204-b of the general
municipal law, as added by chapter 386 of the laws of 1978.
Section 2 amends Section 260.10 of the penal law, as amended by chapter
447 of the 2 laws of 2010.
Section 3 amends Paragraph (e) of subdivision 1 of section 35.07 of the
arts and 3 cultural affairs law.
Section 4 provides for the effective date.
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
The amended version makes the following changes:
1.Clarifies that youth participants cannot operate a vehicle under
subdivision 5 of Section 204-b;
2. Permits youth participants to serve as a "helper on a motor vehicle"
under Section 133 of the Labor Law. The intent here is that we did not
want to restrict youth from assisting (i.e., helping on a motor vehicle)
fire fighters if they are authorized by the chief or officer in charge
to respond to an emergency in a fire truck;
3. Adds youth participants to the Good Samaritan protection that is
afforded to volunteer firefighters by amending Section 205-b of the GML.
Intent here is as long as the youth participants are abiding by the
rules and regs of the youth programs, they should be afforded a similar
level of immunity as volunteer firefighters are afforded under the Good
Samaritan law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Every week, numerous youth program participants across the State learn
new skills and techniques that will help them serve their local Fire
Department. Working with professional firefighters teaches youth partic-
ipants the value of community service and the responsibility of fire-
fighters to keep communities safe. Although youth participants are
allowed to participate in a myriad of training exercises and activities
at the firehouse, current laws prohibit them from observing an active
emergency.
This bill would allow for youth participants to observe an active emer-
gency with stipulations including safe areas for the volunteers to
reside. Understanding how to address an active emergency is a critical
piece of working as a firefighter. Allowing youth participants to
observe these environments and watch how professional firefighters are
able to save lives, will bolster volunteer awareness about firefighting.
In turn, these youth volunteers will grasp how to better serve their
communities.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2025: S6009 Referred to Local Government
2024: S7246 Referred to Local Government
2022: S7359A Referred to Rules
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

Statutes affected:
S6009: 260.10 penal law, 35.07 arts and cultural affairs law, 35.07(1) arts and cultural affairs law
S6009A: 260.10 penal law, 35.07 arts and cultural affairs law, 35.07(1) arts and cultural affairs law
S6009B: 260.10 penal law, 35.07 arts and cultural affairs law, 35.07(1) arts and cultural affairs law, 205-b general municipal law