BILL NUMBER: S6009
SPONSOR: BASKIN
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general municipal law, the penal law, and the arts
and cultural affairs law, in relation to participants in youth programs
sponsored by fire departments
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to allow fire department youth program
participants to observe fire calls and to gain observational experience.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of this bill would amend the General Municipal Law to allow
youth program participants to observe actual fire calls and gain obser-
vational experience at the discretion of the chief officer of each fire
department, provided that such participants remain in an appropriate and
safe designated area and cannot ride in vehicles unless such department
is properly insured.
Section 2 of this bill would amend the Penal Law to make conforming
changes.
Section 3 of this bill would amend the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law to
allow youth program participants and active volunteer members to observe
actual fire calls.
Section 4 of this bill provides that the effective date shall take
effect immediately.
 
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:
2023-24: S.7246 Mannion
2021-22: S.7359-A (Brooks)- Passed Senate.
 
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