S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
7611--B
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
April 23, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sens. BYNOE, MARTINS, RHOADS -- read twice and ordered
printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Trans-
portation -- reported favorably from said committee and committed to
the Committee on Finance -- committee discharged and said bill commit-
ted to the Committee on Rules -- ordered to a third reading, amended
and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third read-
ing -- recommitted to the Committee on Transportation in accordance
with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended,
ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the transportation law,
in relation to creating a plan to increase the availability of wheel-
chair accessible vehicles in New York state outside of the city of New
York
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative intent. This Legislature finds that no uniform
regulations exist across New York state outside of New York city which
define wheelchair accessible vehicles. Despite the need for mobility
services for the disabled population, substantive information on wheel-
chair accessible vehicle standards and the number of such vehicles
available does not exist in each county across New York state outside of
New York City.
As such, this Legislature finds that defining a wheelchair accessible
vehicle, creating a plan for wheelchair accessible vehicles, creating
benchmarks and granting support for counties across New York state other
than New York City, would allow for local authorities to make informed
policies to increase mobility transportation options for individuals who
are reliant on the use of a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
§ 2. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section
159-b to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11778-05-6
S. 7611--B 2
§ 159-B. "WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE". A VEHICLE, INCLUDING A TAXI-
CAB, THAT HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND APPROVED BY THE MUNICIPAL OR LOCAL
AUTHORIZING BODY AS POSSESSING ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
1. MOBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
(A) THE LIFT/RAMP WIDTH SHALL BE THIRTY INCHES MINIMUM.
(B) THE DESIGN LOAD OF THE LIFT/RAMP SHALL BE AT LEAST SIX HUNDRED
POUNDS.
(C) CONTROLS FOR THE LIFT/RAMP SHALL BE INTERLOCKED WITH THE VEHICLE
TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE MOVED WHILE THE LIFT/RAMP IS IN
OPERATION.
(D) CONTROLS FOR THE LIFT/RAMP SHALL BE OF THE MOMENTARY CONTACT TYPE
REQUIRING CONTINUOUS MANUAL PRESSURE TO OPERATE.
(E) THE LIFT/RAMP SHALL BE EQUIPPED WITH AN EMERGENCY DEPLOYMENT METH-
OD IN THE EVENT OF POWER OR MECHANICAL FAILURE.
(F) THE INSTALLATION OF A LIFT/RAMP SHALL INCLUDE PROVISIONS TO
PREVENT THE LIFT/RAMP FROM FALLING OR FOLDING ANY FASTER THAN TWELVE
INCHES/SECOND IN THE EVENT OF ANY FAILURE OF THE LOAD-CARRYING COMPO-
NENT.
(G) THE LIFT/RAMP PLATFORM SHALL BE EQUIPPED WITH HANDRAILS ON TWO
SIDES, A MINIMUM OF EIGHT INCHES LONG AND THIRTY INCHES ABOVE THE PLAT-
FORM AND MOVE IN TANDEM WITH THE LIFT/RAMP.
(H) THE LIFT/RAMP PLATFORM SHALL HAVE BARRIERS AT LEAST TWO INCHES OR
HIGHER TO PREVENT MOBILITY AID WHEELS FROM SLIPPING OFF.
(I) LIFT/PLATFORM SURFACES SHALL BE CONTINUOUS AND SLIP RESISTANT AND
ACCOMMODATE FOUR-WHEEL AND THREE-WHEEL MOBILITY AIDS.
(J) THE TRANSITION FROM ROADWAY OR SIDEWALK AND THE TRANSITION FROM
VEHICLE FLOOR TO THE RAMP MAY BE VERTICAL WITHOUT EDGE TREATMENT UP TO
ONE-QUARTER INCH.
(K) RAMPS SHALL HAVE THE LEAST SLOPE PRACTICAL AND MAY NOT EXCEED A
ONE TO FOUR RATIO WHEN DEPLOYED TO GROUND LEVEL.
(L) THE LIFT/RAMP ATTACHMENT SHALL BE FIRMLY ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE
SO THAT IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO DISPLACEMENT WHEN LOADING OR UNLOADING A
HEAVY MOBILITY AID AND THE GAP BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND RAMP MAY NOT
EXCEED FIVE-EIGHTHS OF AN INCH.
(M) THE LIFT/RAMP SHALL BE USABLE IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.
2. DOORS, STEPS AND THRESHOLDS
(A) FOR VEHICLES TWENTY-TWO FEET IN LENGTH OR LESS, THE OVERHEAD
CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE DOOR OPENING. THE RAISED LIFT PLATFORM
OR HIGHEST POINT OF THE RAMP SHALL BE A MINIMUM OF FIFTY-NINE INCHES.
(B) VEHICLE DOORWAYS IN WHICH A LIFT/RAMP IS INSTALLED SHALL HAVE A
LIGHT ABOVE OR BESIDE EACH PASSENGER ACCESS DOOR TO ILLUMINATE THE LOAD-
ING EQUIPMENT. SUCH LIGHT SHALL BE CONSTANTLY LIT DURING THE LOADING OR
UNLOADING OF PASSENGERS. THE LIGHT SHALL BE SHIELDED TO PROTECT THE EYES
OF ENTERING AND EXITING PASSENGERS.
3. INTERIOR COMPARTMENT
(A) FLOOR AREAS WHERE PEOPLE WALK AND SECUREMENT LOCATIONS SHALL HAVE
SLIP-RESISTANT SURFACES.
(B) A MINIMUM CLEAR FLOOR AREA OF THIRTY INCHES BY FORTY-EIGHT INCHES
SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR EACH WHEELCHAIR POSITION.
(C) REGARDING SEATING CONFIGURATION, VEHICLES TWENTY-TWO FEET IN
LENGTH OR LESS SHALL PROVIDE FORWARD/REAR SEATING ONLY.
(D) RAMP STOWAGE SHALL BE ACCOMPLISHED IN A MANNER AS NOT TO POSE A
HAZARD TO PASSENGERS OR IMPINGE ON A PASSENGER'S MOBILITY AID.
(E) INTERIOR HANDRAILS AND STANCHIONS SHALL PERMIT SUFFICIENT TURNING
AND MANEUVERING SPACE FOR MOBILITY AIDS INCLUDING WHEELCHAIRS TO REACH
SECUREMENT LOCATION FROM LIFT/RAMP.
S. 7611--B 3
(F) HANDRAILS AND STANCHIONS SHALL BE PROVIDED IN THE ENTRANCE TO THE
VEHICLE IN A CONFIGURATION WHICH ALLOWS PEOPLE TO GRASP THE ASSISTS FROM
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE STARTING TO BOARD, AND TO CONTINUE USING THE
ASSISTS THROUGHOUT THE BOARDING PROCESS.
4. SECURE SYSTEMS
(A) A VEHICLE SHALL POSSESS A WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEM THAT IS
ABLE TO SECURELY ANCHOR THE WHEELCHAIR INTO THE VEHICLE, OR ABLE TO
ENCOMPASS BOTH THE OCCUPANT AND THE WHEELCHAIR TO ENSURE THEY ARE
SECURELY ANCHORED INTO THE VEHICLE.
(B) FOR EACH MOBILITY AID SECUREMENT DEVICE, A PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND
SHOULDER HARNESS SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR USE BY MOBILITY AID USERS. SUCH
SEAT BELTS SHALL BE IN ADDITION TO A DEVICE WHICH SECURES THE MOBILITY
AID ITSELF.
(C) SECUREMENT SYSTEMS SHALL BE STOWED IN A WAY SO AS NOT TO POSE A
HAZARD TO PASSENGERS WHEN NOT IN USE.
§ 3. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section
224-b to read as follows:
§ 224-B. WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE AVAILABILITY PLAN. 1. THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL CREATE A PLAN RELATING TO THE AVAILABILITY OF WHEEL-
CHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES IN EVERY COUNTY OF THE STATE OUTSIDE THE CITY
OF NEW YORK. EACH SUCH COUNTY SHALL PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT WITH RELEVANT
DATA NECESSARY TO COMPLETE SUCH PLAN. THE SCOPE OF THE PLAN SHALL
INCLUDE:
(A) THE NUMBER OF FOR-HIRE OPERATORS WITHIN EACH COUNTY;
(B) THE SIZE OF THE FLEET OF EACH FOR-HIRE COMPANY OR OPERATOR;
(C) THE NUMBER OF WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES IN EACH FLEET;
(D) THE CATCHMENT AREAS OF SUCH FOR-HIRE COMPANIES OR OPERATORS; AND
(E) ANY COUNTY POLICIES OR LAWS GOVERNING THE AVAILABILITY OR LICENS-
ING OF WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES.
2. ALL INFORMATION COMPILED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE ASSEM-
BLED AND INTEGRATED INTO A STATEWIDE MAPPING PLATFORM TO IDENTIFY AREAS
WITH INSUFFICIENT AVAILABILITY OF WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES. SUCH
INFORMATION SHALL BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON THE DEPARTMENT'S
WEBSITE.
3. UPON COMPLETION OF THE PLAN, THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH
THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THE DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH, SHALL ASSESS COUNTY-LEVEL DATA AND ESTABLISH BENCHMARKS BASED
ON UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY DATA ON AMBULA-
TORY DISABILITIES. SUCH BENCHMARKS SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE PLAN, ALONG
WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GRANT PROGRAMS AND TAX INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE
ENGAGEMENT IN AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS TO EXPAND THE
AVAILABILITY OF WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES. THE PLAN SHOULD ALSO
INCLUDE IDENTIFICATION OF PRE-EXISTING FISCAL RESOURCES WHICH ARE AVAIL-
ABLE TO TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANIES, OTHER FOR-HIRE ENTITIES, AND
INDIVIDUALS WHO POSSESS QUALIFYING WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES.
4. IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES THAT A COUNTY LACKS ADEQUATE RESOURCES
TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS REQUIRING WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHI-
CLES, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL, IN CONSULTATION WITH: (A) THE COUNTY OR ANY
OTHER RELEVANT GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, (B) TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPA-
NIES, (C) OTHER FOR-HIRE ENTITIES, AND (D) INDIVIDUALS WHO POSSESS
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES, CREATE A PLAN TO MEET THE BENCHMARKS
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION. THE COMMIS-
SIONER SHALL THEN PUBLISH THE FINDINGS, AND SUBSEQUENT PLAN, ON THE
DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE AND PROVIDE NOTICE TO EACH AFFECTED COUNTY.
S. 7611--B 4
§ 4. The closing paragraph of section 151 of the transportation law,
as amended by section 8 of part G of chapter 58 of the laws of 2012, is
amended and a new subdivision 13 is added to read as follows:
13. AS A FOR-HIRE OR LIVERY SERVICE, EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED FOR WHEEL-
CHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES PURSUANT TO SECTION TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR-B
OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW, WHICH IS PURSUANT TO THE JURISDICTION OR
REGULATORY CONTROL OF A MUNICIPALITY, OTHER THAN A CITY WITH A POPU-
LATION OVER ONE MILLION, AUTHORIZED TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO
BOTH REGISTRATION AND LICENSING PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-ONE OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW, WHEN SUCH SERVICE
IS AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON A PREARRANGED OR DEMAND-RESPONSE
BASIS OVER A NON-SPECIFIED OR IRREGULAR ROUTE WITH THE POINT OR POINTS
OF PICK-UP AND DISCHARGE DETERMINED BY THE PASSENGER. FOR THE PURPOSE OF
THIS SUBDIVISION, WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES SHALL BE DEFINED PURSU-
ANT TO SECTION ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-NINE-B OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW.
For the purposes of this article, the term "sedan" or "sedans" as used
[herein] IN THIS SECTION shall include private passenger automobiles,
but shall not include commercial motor vehicles with a seating capacity
of eleven persons or more including the driver, OR COMMERCIALLY OPERATED
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THIRTEEN OF THIS
SECTION.
§ 5. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law.
