S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         4187
                              2015-2016 Regular Sessions
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y
                                   January 29, 2015
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  M.  of  A.  CUSICK,  CAHILL, COLTON, ZEBROWSKI, GUNTHER,
         LUPARDO, TITONE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. HOOPER, MAGEE, SCHI-
         MEL, TITUS -- read once and referred to the Committee  on  Transporta-
         tion
       AN ACT to amend the highway law, in relation to creating a state trooper
         highway memorial task force
         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section 1. Legislative intent. It is the intent of the legislature  to
    2  provide  a  mechanism  to  enhance recognition for fallen members of the
    3  state police who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of  duty.
    4  It  shall be the charge of the task force created by this act to develop
    5  a procedure for recognition of these dedicated men and  women.  Further-
    6  more,  this  act  is  intended  to define safe and acceptable methods of
    7  placing memorials along the highways of this  state  that  appropriately
    8  pay tribute to their service and preserve their memory forever.
    9    S  2. The highway law is amended by adding a new section 340-e to read
   10  as follows:
   11    S 340-E. STATE TROOPER HIGHWAY  MEMORIAL  TASK  FORCE.  1.  THE  STATE
   12  TROOPER HIGHWAY MEMORIAL TASK FORCE IS HEREBY CREATED TO BE COMPRISED OF
   13  THE  COMMISSIONER  OR  HIS  OR HER DESIGNEE, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STATE
   14  POLICE OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, AND A MEMBER  OF  THE  POLICE  BENEVOLENT
   15  ASSOCIATION OF THE NEW YORK STATE TROOPERS, INC.
   16    2.  WITHIN NINETY DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, THE TASK
   17  FORCE SHALL DEVELOP AND ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR RECOGNITION OF  MEMBERS
   18  OF  THE DIVISION OF STATE POLICE WHO HAVE DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. SUCH
   19  RECOGNITION MAY BE IN THE FORM OF THE DEDICATION OF A PORTION OF A STATE
   20  HIGHWAY AND/OR THE PLACEMENT OF A MEMORIAL  PLAQUE  OR  MARKER  ALONG  A
   21  STATE  HIGHWAY.  ANY  PLACEMENT  OF  A MEMORIAL PLAQUE OR MARKER ALONG A
   22  STATE HIGHWAY SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER TO ENSURE  THE  SAFE
   23  AND EFFECTIVE TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG HIGHWAYS IN THIS STATE.
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD01148-01-5
       A. 4187                             2
    1    3.  ANY  PERSON  MAY SUBMIT TO THE STATE TROOPER HIGHWAY MEMORIAL TASK
    2  FORCE, IN WRITING, A PETITION SEEKING  RECOGNITION  OF  MEMBERS  OF  THE
    3  DIVISION OF STATE POLICE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY.
    4  SUCH  PETITION SHALL BE IN SUCH FORM AND CONTAIN SUCH INFORMATION AS THE
    5  TASK  FORCE  MAY  REQUIRE. UPON THE RECEIPT OF A PETITION THE TASK FORCE
    6  SHALL CONSIDER THE REQUEST AND ADVISE THE APPLICANT, IN  WRITING,  OF  A
    7  DECISION  ON  ANY ACTION TO BE TAKEN WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF THE RECEIPT OF
    8  SUCH PETITION. UPON THE ACCEPTANCE OF ANY PETITION, THE TASK FORCE SHALL
    9  DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE FORM AND LOCATION OF THE MEMORIAL TO BE IMPLE-
   10  MENTED.
   11    S 3. The commissioner of transportation shall provide for the  instal-
   12  lation  and  maintenance of adequate memorial plaques, markers and signs
   13  along the state highway system as designated pursuant to  section  340-e
   14  of  the highway law, as added by section two of this act; provided that,
   15  to avoid any confusion and to limit any possible disruption of commerce,
   16  any designation called for pursuant to such section shall be  one  of  a
   17  ceremonial  nature  and  the  official name of such highway shall not be
   18  changed as a result of this act.
   19    S 4. This act shall take effect immediately.