S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4492
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 4, 2019
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Introduced by M. of A. ABINANTI -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring a
safety briefing of Metro-North commuter railroad passengers to be
conducted at certain times
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new
section 1279-e to read as follows:
§ 1279-E. SAFETY BRIEFING OF PASSENGERS PLAN; IMPLEMENTATION ON
METRO-NORTH COMMUTER RAILROAD. THE AUTHORITY IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED AND
DIRECTED TO IMPLEMENT A SAFETY BRIEFING OF PASSENGERS PLAN NOT LATER
THAN JANUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-ONE, FOR THE BENEFIT OF PERSONS
UTILIZING TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES OF THE METRO-NORTH
COMMUTER RAILROAD. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO,
PROVISIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING:
1. BEFORE INITIAL DEPARTURE OF EACH TRAIN CARRYING PASSENGERS, AND
PERIODICALLY THEREAFTER, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE AUTHORITY AT STATIONS
WHERE THE GREATEST NUMBER OF PASSENGERS BOARD THE TRAIN, THE CONDUCTOR,
OR THE CONDUCTOR'S DESIGNEE, SHALL IMMEDIATELY COMMUNICATE LIVE AND/OR
BY RECORDED, VISUAL AND/OR AUDIO IMAGES:
(A) EVACUATION PROCEDURES;
(B) LOCATION AND MEANS FOR OPENING THE PASSENGER ENTRY DOORS AND EMER-
GENCY EXITS;
(C) LOCATION OF FIRST AID AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT;
(D) LOCATION AND OPERATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
IN THE EVENT OF A DISASTER OR EMERGENCY, THE CONDUCTOR, OR THE CONDUC-
TOR'S DESIGNEE SHALL COMMUNICATE THE SAFETY BRIEFING MESSAGE AS OFTEN AS
NECESSARY TO ENSURE PASSENGER SAFETY.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04891-01-9
A. 4492 2
2. THE BRIEFINGS REQUIRED BY SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION MAY BE
DELIVERED BY MEANS OF AN APPROVED RECORDING PLAYBACK DEVICE THAT IS
AUDIBLE TO EACH PASSENGER UNDER NORMAL NOISE LEVELS.
3. THE TRAINING OF CONDUCTORS, TRAINMEN AND OTHER DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES
IN EMERGENCY TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES, INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS,
HANDLING AND POSITIONING OF STRICKEN COMMUTERS, AND KNOWLEDGE OF PROCE-
DURES AND EQUIPMENT USED DURING EVACUATION PROCEDURES.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.