BILL NUMBER: S3190

SPONSOR: MANNION
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing training
and education practices for firefighters and first responders to protect
and assist mobility limited and intellectually challenged individuals
during an emergency situation

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to require the Division of Homeland Security
and Emergency Services (DHSES) to establish best practices for first
responders and firefighters to assist individuals with disabilities.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill would amend section 709 of the Executive Law and
require DHSES to establish best practices for first responders and fire-
fighters to assist individuals with disabilities.

              

Section 2 of this bill provides that the effective date shall take
effect immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

For too much of this nation's history, Individuals with disabilities
have been overlooked in mostly every facet of our civic life. As a
result, language and direction is often not offered or does not take
into account individuals with disabilities within many of the most stan-
dard of societal procedures and practices. This legislation would ensure
that first responders have access to training and best practices on
techniques to protect both mobility limited and intellectually chal-
lenged individuals during an emergency situation; it does so by requir-
ing the division of homeland security and emergency services to estab-
lish best practices for first responders and firefighters to assist
individuals with disabilities.

This legislation will lead to a safer world for individuals with disa-
bilities by ensuring that they are taken into account and not overlooked
in our planning for - and procedures during - an emergency situation.
Furthermore, the legislation will support firefighters and other first
responders by ensuring access to the standard and best practices that
they may require in an emergency situation.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2021-22: S.7675 (Mannion) - Advanced to Third Reading.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.