NY State Senate Bill 2025-S6881

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Transportation Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Mar 25, 2025	referred to transportation

2025-S6881 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Transportation
Law Section:: Vehicle and Traffic Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §509-b, add §509-bbb, V & T L

2025-S6881 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Requires bus drivers complete a human trafficking recognition training program which includes the nature of human trafficking; how human trafficking is defined in law; how to identify someone who is human trafficking; how to identify someone who is a human trafficking victim

2025-S6881 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6881

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring
bus drivers complete a human trafficking recognition training program

 
PURPOSE:

Requires bus drivers to complete a human trafficking recognition train-
ing program

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends subdivisions 3 and 4 of section 509-b of the vehicle
and traffic law, to require that a bus driver must complete the human
trafficking recognition training program as required by section 509-bbb.

Section 2: Amends the vehicle law by adding a new section 509-bbb,
provides that the human trafficking recognition training program is
developed by the commissioner in collaboration with various agencies,

including the interagency task force on human trafficking. The program
educates bus drivers on the nature of human trafficking, legal defi-
nitions, identifying traffickers and victims, and reporting procedures.
Training can be conducted in person, online, or via video communication.
New employees must complete the program within 60 days of employment,
and it is considered compensable time. Bus companies are required to
maintain records of employee completion for the duration of employment
and one year afterward.

Section 3: Sets effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Requiring bus drivers to complete human trafficking recognition training
is a crucial measure in combating human trafficking, as drivers are
often in a position to identify and report potential victims being
transported by traffickers. This program would provide essential know-
ledge to bus drivers on recognizing signs of trafficking, understanding
legal definitions, and reporting to appropriate authorities, including
the national human trafficking hotline. By collaborating with state and
federal agencies and nonprofit organizations, the program ensures that
training remains comprehensive and up-to-date. The flexibility of offer-
ing training through in-person instruction, video communication, and
online courses makes it accessible for all drivers. By equipping drivers
with these critical skills, the program enhances public safety and
contributes to broader efforts to protect trafficking victims and
disrupt exploitation networks.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, section one
of this act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth 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.

2025-S6881 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   6881
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              March 25, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
 
 AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in  relation  to  requiring
   bus drivers complete a human trafficking recognition training program
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Subdivisions 3 and 4 of section 509-b of  the  vehicle  and
 traffic  law,  as  added by chapter 675 of the laws of 1985, are amended
 and a new subdivision 5 is added to read as follows:
   (3) has passed the bus driver physical examination administered pursu-
 ant to regulations established by the commissioner; [and]
   (4) is not disqualified to drive a motor vehicle pursuant  to  section
 five hundred nine-c or any other provision of this article[.]; AND
   (5)  HAS  COMPLETED THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING RECOGNITION TRAINING PROGRAM
 PURSUANT TO SECTION FIVE HUNDRED NINE-BBB OF THIS ARTICLE.
   § 2. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding  a  new  section
 509-bbb to read as follows:
   §  509-BBB.  HUMAN  TRAFFICKING  RECOGNITION TRAINING PROGRAM. (A) FOR
 PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (I) "HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS  DEFINED
 IN SECTION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-THREE-AA OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW.
   (II)  "INTERAGENCY  TASK  FORCE  ON  HUMAN TRAFFICKING" SHALL MEAN THE
 INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING ESTABLISHED BY SECTION  FOUR
 HUNDRED EIGHTY-THREE-EE OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW.
   (III)  "THE  PROGRAM"  SHALL  MEAN  THE  HUMAN TRAFFICKING RECOGNITION
 TRAINING PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SECTION.
   (B) THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INTERAGENCY  TASK  FORCE
 ON  HUMAN  TRAFFICKING,  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL
 JUSTICE SERVICES AND THE COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION, SHALL DEVELOP A
 HUMAN TRAFFICKING RECOGNITION  TRAINING  PROGRAM.  THE  PROGRAM  MAY  BE
 DEVELOPED  IN CONJUNCTION OR CONSULTATION WITH ANY OTHER STATE, FEDERAL,
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD11107-01-5

 S. 6881                             2
 
 OR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE  COMMISSIONER.  THE
 PROGRAM  MAY  BE CONDUCTED THROUGH IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION, ELECTRONIC AND
 VIDEO COMMUNICATION, OR ONLINE PROGRAMS.
   (C) THE PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   (I) THE NATURE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
   (II) HOW HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS DEFINED IN LAW.
   (III) HOW TO IDENTIFY SOMEONE WHO IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
   (IV) HOW TO IDENTIFY SOMEONE WHO IS A HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM.
   (V) ENTITIES TO WHOM A DRIVER MAY REPORT SUSPECTED ACTIVITY THAT MIGHT
 CONSTITUTE  HUMAN TRAFFICKING, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE NATIONAL
 HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE, WHICH CONNECTS VICTIMS OF  HUMAN  TRAFFICKING
 TO:
   (A) RELIEF AND RECOVERY OPTIONS; AND
   (B) SOCIAL AND LEGAL SERVICES.
   (D)  THE COMMISSIONER AND THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANS-
 PORTATION SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE A LIST ONLINE OF ESTABLISHED OR  APPROVED
 HUMAN TRAFFICKING RECOGNITION PROGRAMS FOR USE BY A BUS COMPANY.
   (E)  ALL  NEW  EMPLOYEES REQUIRED UNDER SECTION FIVE HUNDRED NINE-B OF
 THIS ARTICLE TO COMPLETE  THE  HUMAN  TRAFFICKING  RECOGNITION  TRAINING
 PROGRAM  SHALL  COMPLETE  SUCH  PROGRAM WITHIN THEIR FIRST SIXTY DAYS OF
 EMPLOYMENT.
   (F) THE PROGRAM SHALL BE CONSIDERED COMPENSABLE TIME.
   (G) EVERY BUS COMPANY, AS DEFINED IN SECTION TWO OF THE TRANSPORTATION
 LAW, AND EVERY OTHER ENTITY WHICH HIRES BUS DRIVERS TO DRIVE A BUS SHALL
 MAINTAIN RECORDS INDICATING THAT EACH EMPLOYEE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE  THE
 PROGRAM  PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SECTION  HAS  COMPLETED  SUCH PROGRAM. SUCH
 RECORDS SHALL BE KEPT ON FILE BY THE BUS COMPANY OR  OTHER  SUCH  ENTITY
 FOR  THE  PERIOD  DURING WHICH THE EMPLOYEE IS EMPLOYED BY THE MOTOR BUS
 COMPANY AND FOR ONE YEAR AFTER SUCH EMPLOYMENT ENDS.
   § 3. This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately;  provided,  however,
 section  one  of this act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth
 day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately,  the  addi-
 tion,  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.

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Senate Bill S6881

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Transportation Committee

Actions

2025-S6881 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S6881 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S6881 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S6881 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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Sponsored By

James Skoufis

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Transportation Committee

Actions

2025-S6881 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S6881 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S6881 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S6881 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments