Requires instruction concerning traffic stops in pre-licensing courses

Latest action Jan 7, 2026

Relates to instruction concerning traffic stops in pre-licensing courses to provide drivers with their responsibilities when stopped by a law enforcement officer.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A1545, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law.

Committee

Transportation · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Transportation · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

This bill would require driver's education and defensive driving instructors to educate on proper behavior when stopped by a law enforce- ment officer as a part of driving instruction courses.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateFeb 26, 2025Result: passed
(61) (0) (0) (2)
Vote: Committee vote · Transportation
Senate TransportationFeb 10, 2025Result: passed
(13) (0) (0) (0)

Cosponsors

Al Taylor, Andrew Gounardes and 14 more on Agora

Democratic11
Republican5

Show all 16 on Agora

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Roxanne J. Persaud says this is needed

Given the unfortunate potential for routine police interactions to turn deadly, often over a misunderstanding, this legislation aims to mitigate any danger involved in traffic stops. Given the nature of their profes- sion, law enforcement officers are often on the alert and wary of poten- tial threats. By educating prospective drivers on proper behavior when stopped, the chance of them unintentionally alarming officers and subse- quently being harmed decreases greatly. Additionally, if more drivers were versed in traffic stop behavior, it would make traffic stops safe and efficient, which then allows law enforcement to be more available for other ssues and emergencies. Prospective drivers must be fully educated on all aspects of driving safety before they are on the road. Including instruction on proper behavior when stopped by law enforcement in defensive driving courses would help to provide vital information to licensed drivers who would not otherwise have access to it. This bill mandates the creation of a curriculum by the commissioner and would authorize the commissioner to reach out to the division of state police, civil liberties organiza- tions, and any other organization that might assist in suggestions for curriculum content.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Jan 7, 2026
Died in Assembly
DIED IN ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Assembly
Feb 26, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Feb 26, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate

Show full history (6 earlier events)

Feb 26, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Assembly
Feb 12, 2025
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
Feb 11, 2025
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
Feb 10, 2025
1ST Report CAL.302
1ST REPORT CAL.302
NY Senate
Jan 10, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Assembly
Jan 9, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 31, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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