BILL NUMBER: S6826
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to ensuring public safety
announcements are accessible to visually impaired individuals
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The bill enhances New York emergency alert systems by ensuring there is
also audible alerts, making critical information accessible to visually
impaired individuals.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill mandates that emergency warning systems incorpo-
rate audible alerts to accommodate visually impaired individuals.
Section 2 sets an effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The recent 4,8-magnitude earthquake in New Jersey, felt across New York,
challenged the effectiveness of our current public safety announcement
system. New York predominantly relies on text-based alerts sent via
mobile devices; however, with approximately 418,500 visually impaired
residents in the state, it is imperative that public safety announce-
ments are accessible to all citizens to proactively. enhance safety.
This legislation mandates the inclusion of audible alerts in public
safety announcements to ensure that information is accessible to visual-
ly impaired individuals. It .requires the deployment of voice-based
messages alongside traditional alerts, ensuring that vital emergency
information reaches all residents, irrespective of their visual capabil-
ities. By expanding alert systems to include audible notifications, New
York would take a proactive approach to public safety, ensuring that all
residents have immediate access to crucial emergency information.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.

Statutes affected:
S6826: 22 executive law, 22(3) executive law