S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4406
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 3, 2011
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Introduced by M. of A. KELLNER, WEISENBERG, DINOWITZ, BARRON, MILLMAN,
LANCMAN, MENG, HOOPER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. FARRELL,
GLICK, GOTTFRIED, MOLINARO -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Cities
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to providing for
improved access to taxicabs for persons with disabilities
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 181 of the general municipal law, as amended by
chapter 579 of the laws of 1993, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 430
of the laws of 2003, is amended to read as follows:
S 181. Ordinances to regulate taxicabs and limousines. 1. The munici-
pal officers and boards in the several cities, towns and villages of
this state now having the authority to enact ordinances, may adopt ordi-
nances regulating:
[1.] (A) The registration and licensing of taxicabs and may limit the
number of taxicabs to be licensed and the county of Westchester may
adopt ordinances regulating the registration and licensing of taxicabs
and limousines and may limit the number to be licensed; and the county
of Nassau may adopt ordinances regulating the registration of taxicabs
and limousines.
[2.] (B) Parking and passenger pick-up and discharge by taxicabs,
limousines and livery vehicles. Establishment of such ordinances and
regulations regulating parking and passenger pick-up and discharges may
be based upon recommendations from municipal planning officials or other
public entities and may address and take into consideration such
factors, including, but not limited to, geographic areas, vehicle type,
limiting the number of parked vehicles and activities undertaken while
parked, and periods of idling.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03088-01-1
A. 4406 2
2. THE MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND BOARDS IN ANY CITY HAVING A POPULATION
OF MORE THAN ONE MILLION SHALL NO LATER THAN APRIL THIRTIETH, TWO THOU-
SAND THIRTEEN ADOPT ORDINANCES PROVIDING:
(A) THAT "ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB" SHALL MEAN ANY VEHICLE THAT
(1) IS EQUIPPED WITH A LIFT, RAMP, OR ANY OTHER DEVICE, ARRANGEMENT OR
ALTERATION, SO IT IS CAPABLE OF TRANSPORTING PERSONS WITH PHYSICAL DISA-
BILITIES, INCLUDING THOSE WHO USE WHEELCHAIRS, SCOOTERS AND SIMILAR
DEVICES WHILE THEY REMAIN SEATED IN THEIR WHEELCHAIRS, SCOOTERS OR SIMI-
LAR DEVICES;
(2) COMPLIES WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS SET FORTH IN REGULATIONS PROMUL-
GATED UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AND CODIFIED AT 49
C.F.R. SECTIONS 38.23, 38.25 AND 38.31, AS AMENDED, WHETHER OR NOT THOSE
REGULATIONS WOULD APPLY UNDER FEDERAL LAW;
(3) IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEM FOR PERSONS WITH
HEARING IMPAIRMENT THAT IS CONNECTED WITH ANY INTERCOM, VIDEO OR AUDIO
SYSTEM, WHEN SUCH A SYSTEM IS INSTALLED;
(4) ASSURES THAT THE TECHNOLOGY UTILIZED BY TAXICABS IS COMPLIANT WITH
THE STANDARDS PROMULGATED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION;
PROVIDED THAT A LOCAL AUTHORITY WITH OVERSIGHT OVER TAXICABS, LIMOUSINES
AND LIVERY VEHICLES MAY CONDUCT PILOT PROGRAMS TESTING NEW SYSTEMS;
(5) IS EQUIPPED WITH STANDARDIZED SIGNS PRINTED IN: (A) BRAILLE; AND
(B) LARGE-PRINT TEXT SO THAT SUCH SIGNS ARE VISIBLE TO PERSONS WITH LOW
VISION;
(6) PROVIDES SUFFICIENT FLOOR SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE A SERVICE ANIMAL;
AND
(7) IF POWERED BY A HYBRID-ELECTRIC POWER PLANT, IS EQUIPPED WITH AN
APPROPRIATE DEVICE TO ENABLE PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND TO HEAR THE APPROACH
OF THE VEHICLE AS READILY AS THEY CAN HEAR A CONVENTIONAL GASOLINE-POW-
ERED TAXICAB.
(B) THAT NO OWNER OF A TAXICAB SHALL PLACE ANY TAXICAB INTO SERVICE
SUBSEQUENT TO OCTOBER FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN WHICH TAXICAB IS NOT
AN ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB.
3. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE TERM "ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEM"
SHALL MEAN SITUATIONAL-PERSONAL ACOUSTIC COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE TRANSMISSION AND AUDITORY RECEPTION OF SOUND.
SUCH SYSTEM SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO THE USE OF STANDARD
AMPLITUDE MODULATION (AM), FREQUENCY MODULATION (FM), AUDIO INDUCTION
LOOP, INFRARED LIGHT SOUND, OR HARD WIRE SYSTEMS.
S 2. The commissioner of transportation shall promulgate any rules,
regulations and standards necessary to give effect of the provisions of
this act, including, but not limited to rules, regulations and standards
concerning the standardization of assistive listening technology avail-
able in taxicabs and the content of signs available in taxicabs to visu-
ally impaired persons.
S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.