S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   7028
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              March 18, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M. of A. GRAY -- read once and referred to the Committee
   on Transportation
 
 AN ACT amending the transportation  law,  in  relation  to  establishing
   in-route safety inspections for motor coach vehicles designed to carry
   16 or more passengers
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may  be  cited  as
 the "in-route safety inspection for motor coach vehicles act".
   §  2.  Legislative  findings  and  purpose. The legislature finds that
 ensuring the safety of passengers traveling by motor coach  vehicles  is
 essential for public safety. While motor coaches play a critical role in
 intercity  and  charter transportation, routine safety inspections while
 vehicles are in operation are necessary  to  address  safety  risks  and
 protect  passengers.  This  act  establishes  a  framework for mandatory
 in-route inspections for  motor  coach  vehicles  carrying  16  or  more
 passengers to reduce the risk of accidents and enhance operational over-
 sight.
   §  3. The transportation law is amended by adding a new section 148 to
 read as follows:
   § 148. IN-ROUTE INSPECTIONS. 1. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION:
   (A) "MOTOR COACH  VEHICLE"  MEANS  A  VEHICLE  DESIGNED  TO  TRANSPORT
 SIXTEEN  OR  MORE  PASSENGERS,  INCLUDING  THE  DRIVER, AND INTENDED FOR
 INTERCITY OR CHARTER TRANSPORTATION.
   (B) "IN-ROUTE INSPECTION" MEANS A SAFETY  INSPECTION  CONDUCTED  WHILE
 THE  VEHICLE  IS  IN OPERATION, PERFORMED AT DESIGNATED REST AREAS ALONG
 STATE HIGHWAYS.
   2. MOTOR  COACH  VEHICLES  SHALL  BE  SUBJECT  TO  MANDATORY  IN-ROUTE
 INSPECTIONS  AT  DESIGNATED  REST AREAS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY THIRTY DAYS.
 INSPECTIONS SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY TRAINED PERSONNEL FROM THE  DEPARTMENT
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD08759-01-5
 A. 7028                             2
              

 
 OR  DESIGNATED SAFETY INSPECTORS. INSPECTIONS SHALL INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT
 LIMITED TO:
   (A) FUNCTIONALITY OF ALL SEAT BELTS AND SAFETY RESTRAINTS;
   (B) OPERATIONAL STATUS OF LIGHTS, BRAKES, AND STEERING MECHANISMS;
   (C) INSPECTION OF TIRES FOR WEAR AND PROPER INFLATION;
   (D) VERIFICATION OF EMERGENCY EXITS AND EQUIPMENT; AND
   (E)  REVIEW  OF  THE  DRIVER'S QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPLIANCE WITH REST
 REQUIREMENTS.
   3. (A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IDENTIFY AND DESIGNATE SPECIFIC REST AREAS
 ALONG MAJOR HIGHWAYS THROUGHOUT  NEW  YORK  STATE  FOR  THE  PURPOSE  OF
 CONDUCTING  IN-ROUTE  INSPECTIONS.  ADEQUATE  SIGNAGE SHALL BE PLACED TO
 INFORM MOTOR COACH OPERATORS OF INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS AND LOCATIONS.
   (B) THE RESULTS OF ALL IN-ROUTE  INSPECTIONS  SHALL  BE  RECORDED  AND
 SUBMITTED  TO  THE DEPARTMENT TO TRACK COMPLIANCE AND IDENTIFY TRENDS IN
 MOTOR COACH SAFETY.  THE  DEPARTMENT  SHALL  PUBLISH  AN  ANNUAL  REPORT
 DETAILING  INSPECTION  FINDINGS,  INCLUDING  ANY  SAFETY  VIOLATIONS AND
 CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TAKEN.
   4. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS SECTION SHALL RESULT IN  PENALTIES,  AS
 DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER INCLUDING:
   (A) FINES;
   (B) SUSPENSION OF OPERATING AUTHORITY; OR
   (C) MANDATED CORRECTIVE ACTION PLANS.
   §  4.  This  act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
 have become a law. Effective immediately, 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.