New York S 10198: Enacts the New York commission for the deaf and hard of hearing act

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S10198 Summary:

BILL NOS10198 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS A02655-A

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SPONSORFAHY

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Add §559-a, Exec L

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Enacts the "New York commission for the deaf and hard of hearing act".

Go to top S10198 Actions:

BILL NOS10198 

&nbsp

05/05/2026REFERRED TO DISABILITIES

Go to topS10198 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS10198 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS10198 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 10198

 IN SENATE

 May 5, 2026
 ___________

 Introduced by Sen. FAHY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
 printed to be committed to the Committee on Disabilities

 AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to enacting the "New York
 commission for the deaf and hard of hearing act"

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
 2 the "New York commission for the deaf and hard of hearing act".
 3 § 2. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 559-a to
 4 read as follows:
 5 § 559-a. Commission for the deaf and hard of hearing. 1. Definitions.
 6 As used in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:
 7 (a) "Chairperson" means the chairperson of the commission for the deaf
 8 and hard of hearing.
 9 (b) "Commission" means the commission for the deaf and hard of hear-
 10 ing.
 11 (c) "Director" means the director of the commission for the deaf and
 12 hard of hearing.
 13 (d) "Vice-chairperson" means the vice-chairperson of the commission
 14 for the deaf and hard of hearing.
 15 2. Commission. The commission for the deaf and hard of hearing is
 16 created as an executive agency of state government. The commission shall
 17 be composed of eleven members, governed by a chairperson, and headed by
 18 a director.
 19 3. Commission membership. (a) The commission shall be composed of
 20 eleven voting members appointed by the governor from residents of the
 21 state whose position, knowledge, or experience enables them to reason-
 22 ably represent the concerns, needs, and recommendations of deaf or hard
 23 of hearing persons. At a minimum, six voting members of the commission
 24 shall be persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, at least one of whom
 25 shall be fluent in a sign language other than American sign language.
 26 The remaining five members of the commission shall be representatives
 27 of agencies, nonprofit corporations and organizations, and other groups
 28 that work with the deaf and hard of hearing communities, as well as

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD05453-02-6

 S. 10198 2

 1 academics and other experts. The chairperson of the commission shall be
 2 elected from the commission's membership by a simple majority vote of
 3 the total membership of the commission. The vice-chairperson of the
 4 commission shall be elected from the commission's membership by a simple
 5 majority vote of the total membership of the commission.
 6 (b) The governor shall consider nominations made by advocacy groups
 7 for the deaf and hard of hearing and community-based organizations.
 8 (c) Of the initial members appointed by the governor, three shall be
 9 appointed to terms of one year, four shall be appointed to terms of two
 10 years, and four shall be appointed to terms of three years. Thereafter,
 11 all members shall be appointed for terms of three years. No member shall
 12 serve more than two consecutive terms. A member shall serve until their
 13 successor is appointed and qualified.
 14 (d) Initial members' terms of office shall be chosen by lot at the
 15 initial meeting of the commission.
 16 (e) Vacancies in commission membership shall be filled in the same
 17 manner as initial appointments. Appointments to fill vacancies occurring
 18 before the expiration of a term shall be for the remainder of the unex-
 19 pired term.
 20 (f) Members shall not receive compensation for their services but
 21 shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in the perform-
 22 ance of their duties plus up to fifty dollars per day for any actual
 23 loss of wages incurred