Directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to establish a next of kin registry for holders of drivers' licenses, learners' permits and non-driver identification cards; such holders may submit their emergency contact information to be used by police in the event the holder is injured or killed.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
1948
2013-2014 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE(Prefiled)
January 9, 2013
___________
Introduced by Sens. RITCHIE, KLEIN -- read twice and ordered printed,
and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing
a next of kin registry for holders of drivers' licenses, learners'
permits and non-driver identification cards
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new
2 section 215-a to read as follows:
3 § 215-a. Next of kin registry. 1. The commissioner shall establish and
4 operate, within the department, an automated, statewide internet acces-
5 sible website to be known as the "next of kin registry". Such registry
6 shall be capable of storing emergency contact information of the holders
7 of drivers' licenses, learners' permits and non-driver identification
8 cards to be accessible by police officers pursuant to section six
9 hundred six of this chapter. Any holder of a driver's license, learner's
10 permit or non-driver identification card may voluntarily submit, via an
11 internet website established therefor, the names, addresses and tele-
12 phone numbers of two emergency contacts for inclusion in the next of kin
13 registry.
14 2. In the implementation of the next of kin registry, the commissioner
15 shall establish a process whereby any holder of a driver's license,
16 learner's permit or non-driver identification card may electronically
17 sign into the department internet website using his or her license,
18 permit or card number. Thereafter, such holder may enter his or her
19 emergency contact information for not more than two emergency contact
20 persons, or may revise or update previously entered emergency contact
21 information.
22 3. Information in the next of kin registry shall be made available
23 solely for the use of police officers pursuant to section six hundred
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04870-01-3
S. 1948 2
1 six of this chapter. The information in the next of kin registry shall
2 be deemed to be confidential and shall not be subject to disclosure
3 pursuant to article six of the public officers law.
4 4. For the purposes of this section, "emergency contact" shall mean
5 any person, eighteen years of age or older, designated by the holder of
6 a driver's license, learner's permit or non-driver identification card
7 to be contacted by a police agency when such holder is rendered unable
8 to communicate due to physical injury, death or incapacitation.
9 § 2. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section
10 606 to read as follows:
11 § 606. Notification of emergency contacts. When a motor vehicle acci-
12 dent or any other event results in physical injury, death or incapaci-
13 tation of any person, the police officer investigating such accident or
14 event shall attempt to locate an emergency contact of the injured person
15 from the next of kin registry established pursuant to section two
16 hundred fifteen-a of this chapter. A police officer shall, when practi-
17 cable, expeditiously notify an emergency contact of each such injured
18 person and inform the emergency contact of the hospital or other
19 location at which the injured person has been taken.
20 § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
21 it shall have become a law; provided, that, effective immediately, any
22 actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effec-
23 tive date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such
24 date.
