S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8640
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                               May 22, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by M. of A. WILLIAMS -- read once and referred to the Commit-
   tee on Transportation
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend  the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to creating
   distinctive license plates for funeral service vehicles
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section  1.  Legislative  findings. The legislature finds and declares
 that:
   1. Recognition of essential services. Funeral service providers  offer
 critical  support to families and communities during times of crisis and
 loss.
   2. Precedent in other states. Texas issues professional license plates
 for categories such as emergency medical services personnel, peace offi-
 cers, and professional firefighters, recognizing the  unique  nature  of
 their work.
   3.  Traffic  and  procession  benefits.  The identification of funeral
 service vehicles can facilitate processions, allowing for greater  coor-
 dination with law enforcement and traffic control.
   §  2.  The  vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section
 404-ff to read as follows:
   § 404-FF. DISTINCTIVE PLATES FOR NEW YORK STATE LICENSED FUNERAL HOMES
 OR FUNERAL DIRECTORS. 1. ANY NEW YORK  STATE  FUNERAL  HOME  OR  FUNERAL
 DIRECTOR  LICENSED  PURSUANT  TO TITLE TWO OF ARTICLE THIRTY-FOUR OF THE
 PUBLIC HEALTH LAW SHALL, UPON REQUEST, BE ISSUED A LICENSE PLATE FORMAT-
 TED AT THE DISCRETION OF  THE  DEPARTMENT  BEARING  THE  WORDS  "FUNERAL
 SERVICE  VEHICLE" OR SIMILAR AND A UNIQUE DESIGN IN ORDER TO DISTINGUISH
 IT FROM STANDARD COMMERCIAL OR PASSENGER  PLATES.  SUCH  LICENSE  PLATES
 SHALL BE RESERVED FOR VEHICLES OPERATING FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRANSPORTING
 HUMAN REMAINS. SUCH LICENSE PLATE NEED NOT CONTAIN THE STATUE OF LIBERTY
 LOGO. APPLICATION FOR SUCH LICENSE PLATE SHALL BE FILED WITH THE COMMIS-
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10858-01-5
 A. 8640                             2
              

 
 SIONER  IN SUCH FORM AND DETAIL AS THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PRESCRIBE, AND
 SHALL BE VERIFIED ANNUALLY BY THE APPLICANT.
   2. THE DISTINCTIVE PLATE AUTHORIZED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION
 SHALL  BE  ISSUED UPON PROOF, SATISFACTORY TO THE COMMISSIONER, THAT THE
 APPLICANT IS PRESENTLY AN OWNER OR REPRESENTATIVE OF A LICENSED  FUNERAL
 HOME OR FUNERAL DIRECTOR IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
   3. A DISTINCTIVE PLATE ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE ISSUED
 IN  THE  SAME  MANNER AS OTHER NUMBER PLATES UPON PAYMENT OF THE REGULAR
 REGISTRATION FEE PRESCRIBED BY SECTION FOUR HUNDRED ONE OF THIS ARTICLE.
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition,  amend-
 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
 tation  of  this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
 completed on or before such effective date.