BILL NUMBER: S9168
SPONSOR: WEIK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to providing
distinctive license plates for family members of police officers killed
in the line of duty and eliminating the registration fee for family
member distinctive license plates
 
PURPOSE:
To honor the families of police officers killed in the line of duty by
authorizing a distinctive license plate and eliminating associated
registration and service fees.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new section 404-ff to the vehicle and traffic law
authorizing the issuance of distinctive license plates bearing the words
"police officer killed in the line of duty family" to eligible family
members of police officers killed in the line of duty, including
parents, spouses, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, and
grandparents residing in New York State. This section further permits
the issuance of additional distinctive plates for every vehicle regis-
tered in the name of an eligible family member or surviving spouse. It
requires applicants to submit proof of eligibility in a form prescribed
by the commissioner and provides that no registration fee or service
charge shall be charged for such plates.
Section 2 provides that the act shall take effect on the ninetieth day
after it becomes law and authorizes any necessary rulemaking to be
completed prior to the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Police officers who are killed in the line of duty make the ultimate
sacrifice in service to their communities and the State of New York.
Their families continue to bear the lasting emotional and personal
impact of that loss. This legislation recognizes those families by
providing a distinctive license plate that publicly acknowledges their
sacrifice and connection to a fallen officer. Eliminating registration
and service fees ensures that the plate serves as a meaningful tribute
rather than a financial burden. This measure reflects the state's
continued commitment to honoring fallen officers and supporting the
families they leave behind.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment, and or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for implementation is author-
ized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.