Bill > S04362

This bill amends the New York executive law to require local disaster preparedness plans to include a mandatory public education component that must be widely disseminated and approved by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. The key innovation is that these public education materials must be culturally and linguistically sensitive, taking into account the specific characteristics of local inhabitants. This means that disaster preparedness information would need to be tailored to different community populations, potentially involving translations, culturally appropriate messaging, and communication strategies that effectively reach diverse linguistic groups. The bill aims to improve community readiness and understanding of disaster prevention by ensuring that educational materials are accessible and relevant to all local residents. The new requirement will take effect 180 days after the bill becomes law, giving local authorities time to develop and implement the required public education components in their disaster preparedness plans.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4362