Directs the superintendent of the New York State Police to prepare a visor card for the deaf or hard of hearing to enable police to respond to traffic stops involving the deaf or hard of hearing and avoid conflict and escalation because of difficulty communicating.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
2086
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 23, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. STERN -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to directing the super-
intendent of the New York state police to prepare informational mate-
rial to aid police during interactions with persons who are deaf or
hard of hearing
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 214-i
2 to read as follows:
3 § 214-i. Visor card for police interactions with individuals who are
4 deaf or hard of hearing. 1. The superintendent shall develop, maintain
5 and disseminate informational printed material in the form of a card
6 designed for the attachment to a vehicle's sun visor (a "visor card")
7 which will enable a police officer to communicate with an individual who
8 is deaf or hard of hearing in any interaction that such individual may
9 have with law enforcement.
10 2. Visor cards required by this section shall include but are not
11 limited to the following information:
12 (a) boldface and highlighted text at the top of the card indicating
13 that the individual is deaf or hard of hearing;
14 (b) symbols and pictures that can be used to communicate between the
15 police officer and the individual;
16 (c) a list of the best ways to communicate with that individual,
17 including the need for an American Sign Language interpreter, text
18 messaging, writing, lip reading, hand gestures, or an assistive listen-
19 ing device;
20 (d) descriptions of motor vehicle and traffic offenses that the super-
21 intendent determines are the most common including but not limited to an
22 expired license, not wearing a seatbelt, reckless driving, failure to
23 stop at a stop sign, and speeding;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02384-01-3
A. 2086 2
1 (e) clearly marked boxes and descriptions indicating whether the indi-
2 vidual is being warned, ticketed, or arrested;
3 (f) symbols for the individual to indicate to the police officer that
4 assistance is required, including but not limited to, driving
5 directions, medical emergency, police assistance, nearest gas station,
6 flat tire, location of the nearest hospital, and tow truck assistance;
7 (g) symbols for the police officer to communicate police directives to
8 the individual including but not limited to requests to produce license,
9 registration, proof of insurance, or a weapons permit;
10 (h) suggestions for police officers on how to effectively communicate
11 with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing; and
12 (i) contact information regarding resources for individuals who are
13 deaf or hard of hearing.
14 3. Visor cards shall be created in both English and Spanish.
15 4. Visor cards shall be supplied to all police departments and sher-
16 iff's offices in the state for distribution to police officers; and to
17 every department of motor vehicles location to be distributed to indi-
18 viduals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
19 5. Visor cards shall be designed, developed and ready for distribution
20 no later than six months after the effective date of this section.
21 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
