Creates a series of distinctive license plates for law enforcement officers who were wounded in the line of duty or the spouse of such, which shall bear the words "Wounded in the Line of Duty"; includes the New York state sheriff's association, New York state association of chiefs of police, police benevolent association of the New York state troopers, the New York state police benevolent association, and the New York city police benevolent association; provides that proceeds from the service charge shall be used for a fund to assist wounded/fallen officers and their families.
Summary
This bill creates a new distinctive license plate program for New York law enforcement officers who were wounded in the line of duty, or for their spouses in cases where the officer does not receive the plate. The plates would display the words “Wounded in the Line of Duty” and could feature the seal of one of five specified police associations: the New York State Sheriff’s Association, the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, the Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, the New York State Police Benevolent Association, or the New York City Police Benevolent Association.
The bill defines “wounded in the line of duty” as a law enforcement officer who sustained a personal injury while performing duty and was injured by an assailant with a dangerous and deadly weapon. Eligibility must be verified by the employing department and approved by the commissioner. Applicants would pay the normal registration fee plus a $25 annual service charge for the specialty plate.
Impact
The bill amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law to add a new specialty plate category and amends the State Finance Law to create a dedicated “wounded officers support fund.” Revenue from the annual service charge would first support plate production, design, advertising, and marketing, and any amount collected above $6,000 would be deposited into the new fund. The fund would be used solely to assist wounded or fallen law enforcement officers and their families, including for medical treatment, mental health counseling, home accessibility improvements, service animals, transportation, and funeral expenses.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests generally favorable support, with the Assembly Transportation Committee voting 16-7 to hold the bill for consideration rather than rejecting it outright. The bill’s purpose is framed as honoring and supporting injured officers and their families, which typically draws sympathetic support from law enforcement advocates and supporters of specialty plate fundraising measures. No committee transcript is available, so the record does not show detailed debate, but the vote indicates some level of interest alongside meaningful hesitation.
Contention
The main points of contention likely concern whether a specialty plate and dedicated fund are the best policy mechanism, how the funds are administered, and whether the program should be limited to officers injured by a dangerous and deadly weapon. Another possible issue is the bill’s use of police association seals and the distribution of funds as determined by the five associations, which may raise questions about oversight and accountability. The 16-7 committee vote indicates that while many members supported the concept, a substantial minority had reservations about the proposal.
Same As
Creates a series of distinctive license plates for law enforcement officers who were wounded in the line of duty or the spouse of such, which shall bear the words "Wounded in the Line of Duty"; includes the New York state sheriff's association, New York state association of chiefs of police, police benevolent association of the New York state troopers, the New York state police benevolent association, and the New York city police benevolent association; provides that proceeds from the service charge shall be used for a fund to assist wounded/fallen officers and their families.