S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6868
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
April 13, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GRIFFIN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the executive law and the general business law, in
relation to creating a consumer bill of rights regarding railroad
passengers
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subparagraphs 14 and 15 of paragraph (a) of subdivision 3
of section 94-a of the executive law, as added by section 21 of part A
of chapter 62 of the laws of 2011, are amended and a new subparagraph 16
is added to read as follows:
(14) cooperate with and assist consumers in class actions in proper
cases; [and]
(15) create an internet website or webpage pursuant to section three
hundred ninety-c of the general business law[.]; AND
(16) IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE RAILROAD CONSUMER ADVOCATE,
INITIATE, INVESTIGATE, ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE AND, IF NECESSARY, REFER TO
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ANY MATTERS OR COMPLAINTS RECEIVED PURSUANT TO
ARTICLE FOURTEEN-A OF THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW AS PROVIDED IN SUCH ARTI-
CLE.
§ 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new article 14-A
to read as follows:
ARTICLE 14-A
RAILROAD PASSENGER RIGHTS
SECTION 251-N. DEFINITIONS.
251-O. CONSUMER BILL OF RIGHTS REGARDING RAILROAD PASSENGERS.
251-P. OFFICE OF THE RAILROAD CONSUMER ADVOCATE.
251-Q. LIMITATIONS ON APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE.
251-R. SEVERABILITY.
§ 251-N. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE:
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00691-01-1
A. 6868 2
1. "CARRIER" MEANS ANY PARTNERSHIP, CORPORATION OR OTHER BUSINESS
ENTITY REGULATED BY THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY THAT
CONDUCTS SCHEDULED PASSENGER RAIL TRANSPORTATION.
2. "TRAIN" MEANS ANY CONTRIVANCE FOR PASSENGER TRAVEL BY RAIL.
3. "RAILROAD STATION" MEANS ANY FACILITY USED BY TRAINS FOR RECEIVING
OR DISCHARGING PASSENGERS.
4. "DIVISION" MEANS THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION AS ESTABLISHED IN
SECTION NINETY-FOUR-A OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW.
§ 251-O. CONSUMER BILL OF RIGHTS REGARDING RAILROAD PASSENGERS. 1.
WHENEVER RAILROAD PASSENGERS HAVE BOARDED A TRAIN AND ARE DELAYED MORE
THAN THREE HOURS, THE CARRIER SHALL ENSURE THAT PASSENGERS ARE PROVIDED
AS NEEDED WITH:
(A) ELECTRIC GENERATION SERVICE TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY POWER FOR FRESH
AIR AND LIGHTS; AND
(B) WASTE REMOVAL SERVICE IN ORDER TO SERVICE THE HOLDING TANKS FOR
ON-BOARD RESTROOMS.
2. ALL CARRIERS SHALL PROVIDE CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS NOTICE ON CONSUMER
COMPLAINT CONTACT INFORMATION BY PROVIDING FORMS AND/OR CAUSING SIGNS TO
BE POSTED AT ALL SERVICE DESKS AND OTHER APPROPRIATE AREAS AS NECESSARY
IN THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS IN A RAILROAD STATION WHICH SHALL CONTAIN
INFORMATION IN SUCH FORM AND MANNER AS THE RAILROAD CONSUMER ADVOCATE
SHALL PRESCRIBE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
(A) A TELEPHONE NUMBER AND MAILING ADDRESS OF THE OFFICE OF THE RAIL-
ROAD CONSUMER ADVOCATE AND THE FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION;
(B) EXPLANATIONS OF THE RIGHTS OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS; AND
(C) BASIC INFORMATION ON THE OFFICE OF THE RAILROAD CONSUMER ADVOCATE.
§ 251-P. OFFICE OF THE RAILROAD CONSUMER ADVOCATE. 1. THERE SHALL BE
IN THE DIVISION AN OFFICE TO BE KNOWN AS THE OFFICE OF RAILROAD CONSUMER
ADVOCATE. THE SECRETARY OF STATE MAY APPOINT SUCH STAFF FOR THE OFFICE
AS NECESSARY AND PRESCRIBE THEIR DUTIES AND FIX THEIR COMPENSATION WITH-
IN THE APPROPRIATION PROVIDED BY LAW.
2. (A) THE OFFICE OF THE RAILROAD CONSUMER ADVOCATE SHALL HAVE THE
FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS, POWERS, AND DUTIES:
(I) TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS IN RESOLVING PROBLEMS WITH RAILROAD CARRIERS;
(II) TO IDENTIFY AREAS IN WHICH CUSTOMERS HAVE PROBLEMS IN DEALINGS
WITH CARRIERS;
(III) TO PROPOSE SOLUTIONS, INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES TO PRAC-
TICES AND PROCEDURES OF THE CARRIER OR RAILROAD STATION;
(IV) TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE RIGHTS OF THE CUSTOMER;
(V) TO PROMOTE OPEN AND DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS; AND
(VI) IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DIVISION, TO INITIATE, INVESTIGATE,
ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE, AND IF NECESSARY REFER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ANY
MATTERS OR COMPLAINTS RECEIVED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
(B) ANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING VIOLATIONS OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-
ONE-O OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE FILED WITH THE OFFICE OF THE RAILROAD
CONSUMER ADVOCATE WHO MAY, ON BEHALF OF THE DIVISION AND IN CONJUNCTION
WITH OTHER STAFF OF THE DIVISION, CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION AND MAY
REQUEST IN WRITING THE PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS AS PART OF
ITS INVESTIGATION. IF THE PERSON UPON WHOM SUCH REQUEST WAS MADE FAILS
TO PRODUCE THE DOCUMENTS OR RECORDS WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF
THE REQUEST, THE DIVISION MAY ISSUE AND SERVE SUBPOENAS TO COMPEL THE
PRODUCTION OF SUCH DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS. IF ANY PERSON SHALL REFUSE TO
COMPLY WITH A SUBPOENA ISSUED UNDER THIS SECTION, THE DIVISION MAY PETI-
TION A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO ENFORCE THE SUBPOENA AND SUCH
SANCTIONS AS THE COURT MAY DIRECT. AFTER COMPLETION OF AN INVESTI-
GATION, THE DIVISION SHALL EITHER: (I) DISMISS THE COMPLAINT FOLLOWING A
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DETERMINATION THAT NO VIOLATION OCCURRED; OR (II) DETERMINE THAT A
VIOLATION HAS LIKELY OCCURRED AND, IF SO, SHALL ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE
MATTER BY SETTLEMENT, WHICH MAY INCLUDE A MONETARY SETTLEMENT TO COVER
THE ORDINARY COSTS AND EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE DIVISION. IF NO SETTLE-
MENT IS ACHIEVED, THEN THE MATTER SHALL BE REFERRED TO THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS, INCLUDING, IF NECESSARY, LEGAL ACTION.
(C) ANY RECORDS, DOCUMENTS, PAPERS, MAPS, BOOKS, TAPES, PHOTOGRAPHS,
FILES, SOUND RECORDINGS OR OTHER BUSINESS MATERIAL, REGARDLESS OF FORM
OR CHARACTERISTICS, OBTAINED BY THE DIVISION PURSUANT TO SUBPOENA SHALL
BE CONFIDENTIAL.
(D) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO RECOVER A CIVIL PENAL-
TY NOT TO EXCEED ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS PER VIOLATION; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT FOR A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-
ONE-O OF THIS ARTICLE THE CIVIL PENALTY SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE THOUSAND
DOLLARS PER PASSENGER. ANY SUCH PENALTY SHALL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION
ANY COMPENSATION PAID OR OFFERED BY THE CARRIER TO PASSENGERS. THE CIVIL
PENALTY IMPOSED PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH MAY BE SOUGHT IN A CIVIL
ACTION BROUGHT BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURIS-
DICTION. IF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL PREVAILS IN A CIVIL ACTION, THE COURT
MAY AWARD THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES, AND AN AMOUNT
EQUAL TO THE ORDINARY COSTS AND EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE DIVISION, AS IT
DEEMS APPROPRIATE. IF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REACHES A SETTLEMENT, THIS
SETTLEMENT SHALL INCLUDE AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE ORDINARY COSTS AND
EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE DIVISION. UPON THE RECEIPT OF ANY AWARD OR
SETTLEMENT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE ORDINARY COSTS AND EXPENSES
INCURRED BY THE DIVISION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL DELIVER SUCH AMOUNT
IMMEDIATELY TO THE DIVISION. "ORDINARY COSTS AND EXPENSES" SHALL MEAN
COSTS AND EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE DIVISION AS A CONSEQUENCE OF INVESTI-
GATION OF VIOLATIONS OF THIS ARTICLE.
(E) THE ANNUAL REPORT PREPARED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE PURSUANT TO
SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION NINETY-FOUR-A OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW SHALL
INCLUDE A SUMMARY OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE OFFICE OF THE RAILROAD
CONSUMER ADVOCATE. SUCH REPORT SHALL CONTAIN FULL AND SUBSTANTIVE ANALY-
SIS, IN ADDITION TO STATISTICAL INFORMATION, AND SHALL:
(I) IDENTIFY THE INITIATIVES THE OFFICE OF RAILROAD CONSUMER ADVOCATE
HAS TAKEN TO IMPROVE RAILROAD SERVICES;
(II) CONTAIN A SUMMARY OF THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY
CUSTOMERS, INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF THE NATURE OF SUCH PROBLEMS;
(III) CONTAIN AN INVENTORY OF THE ITEMS DESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPHS (I)
AND (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH FOR WHICH ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN AND THE
STATUS AND RESULTS OF SUCH ACTIONS, AND AN INVENTORY OF ITEMS FOR WHICH
NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN, AND THE REASONS THEREFOR;
(IV) CONTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUCH LEGISLATIVE OR ADMINISTRATIVE
PROPOSALS AS MAY BE APPROPRIATE TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY
CUSTOMERS; AND
(V) INCLUDE SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AS THE OFFICE OF THE RAILROAD
CONSUMER ADVOCATE AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE MAY DEEM ADVISABLE.
§ 251-Q. LIMITATIONS ON APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE. NOTHING IN THIS
ARTICLE SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS REQUIRING ANY CARRIER, RAILROAD STATION OR
OTHER ENTITY TO TAKE ANY ACTION IN CONTRAVENTION OF ANY WRITTEN DIREC-
TIVE OF THE FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION OR OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY
HAVING JURISDICTION OVER SUCH ENTITY.
§ 251-R. SEVERABILITY. IF ANY CLAUSE, SENTENCE, PARAGRAPH, SECTION OR
PART OF THIS ARTICLE BE ADJUDGED BY ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION
TO BE INVALID, SUCH JUDGMENT SHALL NOT AFFECT, IMPAIR OR INVALIDATE THE
REMAINDER HEREOF BUT SHALL BE APPLIED IN ITS OPERATION TO THE CLAUSE,
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SENTENCE, PARAGRAPH, SECTION OR PART HEREOF DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE
CONTROVERSY IN WHICH SUCH JUDGMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN RENDERED.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediate-
ly, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation
necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are
authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.