BILL NUMBER: S6382

SPONSOR: RYAN C
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to equipping certain
emergency response vehicles with appropriate communication devices for
deaf individuals

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To ensure that all emergency response vehicles are equipped with commu-
nication devices for the deaf.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill amends the Executive Law by adding Section 563.

Section 563 states that all emergency response vehicles (ambulances,
police cars, fire vehicles, and emergency ambulance service vehicles)
are required to have an appropriate communication device on board, to
assist in communicating with the deaf.
              

Section 2 is the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Emergency situations are often when people are at their most vulnerable,
and in the greatest need of help. However, for the portion of New York-
ers that are deaf, hard of hearing, or unable to verbally communicate,
these situations can become much more challenging and potentially life-
threatening. Often, first responders do not have the tools or training
necessary to communicate with these patients.

In February, a school bus carrying seven students to the Mill Neck Manor
School for the Deaf in Nassau County, Long Island slipped on a patch of
black ice and crashed on the side of the road. Luckily, there were no
serious injuries, but it once again highlighted the need for these first
responders to have a better way to communicate with their patients. The
specific equipment used would be left up to the local municipalities to
decide. However, many free interpreter applications and assistive tech-
nology exist to facilitate communication with the deaf and hard of hear-
ing, including real-time translation to sign language. Everyone should
be able to receive the care they need, and this is an important step
forward.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2023-24: A10508 local governments

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

TBD