Bill
Bill > A03981
NY A03981
NY A03981Relates to procedures relating to driving while ability impaired by drugs; defines impairment and intoxication; updates procedures for field testing of drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs to include the use of oral/bodily fluid tests; provides that refusal to submit to such field tests is specified to be a traffic infraction; makes related provisions.
summary
Introduced
01/30/2025
01/30/2025
In Committee
01/30/2025
01/30/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 General Assembly
Bill Summary
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to procedures relating to driving while ability impaired by drugs; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
AI Summary
This bill updates New York's vehicle and traffic law to enhance procedures for identifying and prosecuting drivers impaired by drugs. It introduces new legal definitions for "impairment" and "intoxication" that describe a driver's diminished physical and mental abilities when operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs. The bill expands field testing procedures to allow police officers to use oral/bodily fluid tests in addition to breath tests when investigating potential impaired driving incidents. Refusal to submit to these field tests will now be classified as a traffic infraction. The legislation also requires law enforcement to collect and report demographic data on traffic stops, arrests, and convictions related to driving while impaired by substances. An important new provision allows for an affirmative defense in cases where a driver's apparent impairment was actually caused by an allergic reaction or medical emergency. The bill will take effect on November 1st following its passage and is set to expire five years after that date, allowing for periodic review and potential updates to the law.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (63)
Bill Magnarelli (D)*,
George Alvarez (D),
Khaleel Anderson (D),
Didi Barrett (D),
Sam Berger (D),
Harry Bronson (D),
Chris Burdick (D),
Pat Burke (D),
Marianne Buttenschon (D),
Patrick Carroll (D),
Robert Carroll (D),
Sarah Clark (D),
William Colton (D),
Bill Conrad (D),
Brian Cunningham (D),
Maritza Davila (D),
Manny De Los Santos (D),
Jeffrey Dinowitz (D),
Chris Eachus (D),
Simcha Eichenstein (D),
Charles Fall (D),
Judy Griffin (D),
Andrew Hevesi (D),
Chantel Jackson (D),
Jonathan Jacobson (D),
Billy Jones (D),
Rebecca Kassay (D),
Paula Kay (D),
Micah Lasher (D),
Charles Lavine (D),
Dana Levenberg (D),
Jen Lunsford (D),
Donna Lupardo (D),
John McDonald (D),
Dave McDonough (R),
Karen McMahon (D),
Kwani O'Pharrow (D),
Steve Otis (D),
Amy Paulin (D),
Stacey Pheffer Amato (D),
Steven Raga (D),
Nily Rozic (D),
Angelo Santabarbara (D),
Nader Sayegh (D),
Thomas Schiavoni (D),
Rebecca Seawright (D),
Amanda Septimo (D),
Maryjane Shimsky (D),
Jo Anne Simon (D),
Tony Simone (D),
Phara Souffrant Forrest (D),
Phil Steck (D),
Steve Stern (D),
Al Stirpe (D),
Yudelka Tapia (D),
Al Taylor (D),
Emerita Torres (D),
David Weprin (D),
Aron Wieder (D),
Jaime Williams (D),
Carrie Woerner (D),
Kalman Yeger (D),
John Zaccaro (D),
Last Action
print number 3981c (on 06/10/2025)
Official Document
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