S 1509: Relates to the requirement that hearings for traffic infractions shall be conducted in person.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 1509 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN SENATE January 10, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sens. LIU, FERNANDEZ -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring in person hearings for traffic infractions The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Section 227 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by 2 adding a new subdivision 7 to read as follows: 3 7. Every hearing for the adjudication of a traffic infraction shall be 4 held in person, with all parties and witnesses physically present at the 5 stated time and place of the hearing, provided that virtual attendance 6 at such hearing shall be permissible upon the request or consent of the 7 motorist or the motorist's counsel. On or before the date of a hearing, 8 a motorist, or the motorist's counsel, shall be permitted to appear in 9 person before a hearing officer for the purpose of requesting an 10 adjournment. If unable to appear, the motorist, or the motorist's coun- 11 sel, shall be permitted to request an adjournment in person after a 12 hearing has occurred upon good cause shown. 13 § 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall 14 have become a law. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD00916-01-5