NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A6291A
SPONSOR: Burdick TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to standards for estab-
lishing and maintaining an emergency evacuation plan for individuals
with disabilities
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to ensure that there is an efficient emer-
gency evacuation plan for people with disabilities who work or live in
high-rise buildings in New York State.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends the Executive Law by adding two new sections 378-a
and 378-b.
Section 378-a updates Chapter Four of the New York State Fire Code by
requiring the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council (SFPBCC)
to write regulations for establishing and maintaining emergency evacu-
ation plans, including procedures for evacuating individuals with disa-
bilities.
Section 378-b requires high-rise building owners to create an emergency
evacuation plan in accordance with the regulations set forth by the
SFPBCC and to make copies of said plan available upon request.
Section two sets the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Since the tragedy of September 11th, awareness and education of high
rise building evacuation plans have been heightened, yet little is spec-
ified dealing with evacuating people with disabilities in the event of
an emergency. Most people with disabilities, specifically those with
mobility and/or sensory impairments, rely on elevators to exit a build-
ing, making independent evacuation during an emergency impossible when
elevator use is prohibited. This bill requires every high-rise building
owner to establish and maintain an emergency evacuation plan for disa-
bled occupants and visitors of the building. Additionally, the building
owner will be responsible for maintaining and updating the emergency
evacuation plan for persons with disabilities, and ensuring that such
plan is readily available to emergency personnel. It also imposes a $500
fine on any building owner who knowingly does not comply.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021- 2022: 51104 Stewart - Cousins-Passed Senate in 2021 and 2022
2019-2020: 52590 Stewart - Cousins-Passed Senate; Referred to Housing
2017-2018: S768A Stewart - Cousins Passed Senate and Assembly; Recalled
and Amended on Third Reading
2015-2016: S2244 Stewart - Cousins Passed Assembly; Referred to Housing
2013-2014: S3925A Stewart - Cousins Passed Assembly; Referred to Housing
2011-2012: S3490 Stewart - Cousins Passed Assembly; Referred to Housing
2009-2010: S8069 Stewart - Cousins Passed Assembly; Referred to Housing
2007-2008: S3801 Leibell - Passed Assembly; Referred to Housing
2005-2006: S7462A Balboni - Passed Assembly; Referred to Housing
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it becomes law;
provided, however, that high-rise building owners shall have one year
from the effective date of this act to establish an emergency evacuation
plan.
