Bill > A00967

This bill establishes the "crash victims bill of rights," which introduces several key provisions designed to support individuals involved in automobile accidents. The bill requires that accident reports be provided free of charge within 24 hours of processing to injured parties, their next of kin, or parents/guardians of minors involved in the accident, with reports to be made available electronically. It also mandates that traffic infraction hearings now include procedures for victim impact statements, allowing injured parties or their next of kin to deliver statements about how the accident has affected them. Additionally, the bill requires employers with 20 or more employees to grant up to four hours of leave to employees who wish to provide a victim impact statement at a traffic infraction hearing, and prohibits employer retaliation against employees who take such leave. Furthermore, the bill directs the superintendent of financial services to conduct a comprehensive study on automobile crash victims, collecting detailed data about no-fault and liability claims, awards, and other relevant information, with a report to be submitted to state leadership by December 31, 2025, including trend analysis and recommendations for improving resources for crash victims and their families. The bill is designed to provide more support, information, and opportunities for justice to those impacted by automobile accidents.