New York Assembly Bill A06426 Latest Draft

   
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 6426 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN ASSEMBLY March 4, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. HYNDMAN -- read once and referred to the Commit- tee on Transportation AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to enhancing the fitness and safety requirements for certain licensed individuals and establishes the New York state task force on the effects of aging on driving ability The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by 2 adding a new subdivision 2-a to read as follows: 3 2-a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the term "fit" shall 4 mean deemed by a licensed physician to have the physical and mental 5 capacity to operate a motor vehicle. 6 § 2. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 6 of section 502 of the vehicle and 7 traffic law, as amended by chapter 37 of the laws of 2019, is amended to 8 read as follows: 9 (a) A license issued pursuant to subdivision five of this section 10 shall be valid until the expiration date contained thereon, unless such 11 license is suspended, revoked or cancelled. Such license may be renewed 12 by submission of an application for renewal, the fee prescribed by law, 13 proofs of prior licensing, fitness and acceptable vision prescribed by 14 the commissioner, the applicant's social security number or, in lieu 15 thereof, with respect to an application for a non-commercial driver's 16 license or learner's permit which does not meet federal standards for 17 identification, an affidavit signed by such applicant that they have not 18 been issued a social security number, and if required by the commission- 19 er, a photo image of the applicant in such numbers and form as the 20 commissioner shall prescribe. Upon the seventh application submission, 21 and thereafter for a renewal of a driver's license, applicants must 22 submit proof of a physical examination, conducted by a licensed physi- 23 cian, to prove that the licensee is medically fit to operate a motor EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD07586-01-5 
 A. 6426 2 1 vehicle. In addition, an applicant for renewal of a license containing a 2 hazardous material endorsement shall pass an examination to retain such 3 endorsement. The commissioner shall, with respect to the renewal of a 4 hazardous materials endorsement, comply with the requirements imposed 5 upon states by sections 383.141 and 1572.13 of title 49 of the code of 6 federal regulations. A renewal of such license shall be issued by the 7 commissioner upon approval of such application, except that no such 8 license shall be issued if its issuance would be inconsistent with the 9 provisions of section five hundred sixteen of this title, and except 10 that the commissioner may refuse to renew such license if the applicant 11 is the holder of a currently valid or renewable license to drive issued 12 by another state or foreign country unless the applicant surrenders such 13 license. 14 § 3. a. The "New York state task force on the effects of aging on 15 driving ability" is hereby established (hereinafter referred to as the 16 "task force"). The task force shall study the effects of aging on driv- 17 ing ability and develop a comprehensive approach to licensing drivers. 18 b. Such study shall include: 19 (i) Effective and efficient identification of drivers at risk of being 20 involved in a motor vehicle accident because of functional limitations 21 that affect their driving ability; 22 (ii) Prevalence and effect of degenerative processes affecting vision, 23 hearing, mobility, cognitive functions, and reaction time; 24 (iii) Implementation and effect of the department's vision screening 25 requirements and examination of new technologies; 26 (iv) Availability and effectiveness of remedial measures such as 27 skills training, adaptive equipment, physical therapy, and adjustment of 28 driving practices that will allow people to drive safely for as long as 29 possible; 30 (v) Availability of alternative forms of transportation for people who 31 can no longer safely drive; and 32 (vi) Effectiveness of existing public education initiatives relating 33 to at-risk drivers. 34 § 4. Such task force shall consist of the following members, which 35 shall each serve for a term of two years: 36 a. one member appointed by the governor; 37 b. one member appointed by the temporary president of the senate; 38 c. one member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 39 d. one member appointed by the speaker of the assembly; 40 e. one member appointed by the minority leader of the assembly; and 41 f. two members appointed by the commissioner of the department of 42 motor vehicles. 43 § 5. Such members of the task force shall receive no compensation for 44 their services, but shall be reimbursed for all expenses actually and 45 necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties. Vacan- 46 cies in office shall be filled in the same manner as the original 47 appointment. 48 § 6. The task force shall report its findings from such study and make 49 recommendations with supporting legislation to the governor and the 50 legislature within one year of the effective date of this act. 51 § 7. This act shall take effect immediately.