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Senate bill · S9752 (2025-26)

Prohibits the use of virtual reality headsets while operating a motor vehicle

New York State Senate

Latest action Jun 5, 2026

Sponsor: Jeremy Cooney (State Senator, District 56, Democratic/Working Families)

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From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 21, 2026. About our data

Summary

Prohibits the use of virtual reality headsets while operating a motor vehicle, limited use automobile, limited use motorcycle or bicycle.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

To enhance road safety by explicitly prohibiting the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) devices that obstruct a driver's vision while operating a motor vehicle.

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

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Transportation · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Transportation · New York State Senate.

Your position on this bill

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The sponsor's argument

Why Jeremy Cooney says this is needed

The proliferation of virtual reality technology brings new risks to motorists and pedestrians. Currently, the law prohibits the use of handheld electronic devices while driving but does not specifically address VR headsets, which can significantly impair a driver's ability to see and react to road conditions. This bill closes that gap by updat- ing the definitions and prohibitions to ensure all forms of potentially distracting electronic device usage are covered, thus safeguarding all road users.

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.

Recorded votes

  • Vote: Committee vote · Transportation

    Senate TransportationMay 19, 2026Result: passed

    (12) (0) (0) (1)

Full history

  1. Jun 5, 2026

    In committee

    COMMITTED TO RULES

    NY Senate

  2. May 21, 2026

    Advanced to Third Reading

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    NY Senate

  3. May 20, 2026

    2ND Report CAL.

    2ND REPORT CAL.

    NY Senate

  4. May 19, 2026

    1ST Report CAL.1280

    1ST REPORT CAL.1280

    NY Senate

  5. Apr 2, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

    NY Senate

Read the record