NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A509
SPONSOR: Rosenthal L TITLE OF BILL:
An act requiring a study to determine the effects that exposure to long
range acoustic devices have on an individual's hearing; and providing
for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
PURPOSE:
This bill investigates whether long-range acoustic devices that are used
for crowd control in short ranges causes permanent damage to the hearing
of those exposed.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one requires the department of health to engage in a study of
long-range acoustic devices (LRADs) and the effects of exposure on indi-
viduals, including the effects on short- and long-term hearing.
Section two establishes the time frame for the study. Section three sets
forth the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
LRADs have been used in military operations for more than a decade, but
only recently have we seen local police forces equipped with these
devices. They are designed to amplify and focus sound, and were
originally used to spread a message to a village or group of people from
a great distance. Now, these devices are commonly used for crowd control
at very close range, sometimes only feet away. Individuals exposed to
this sound have described it as "piercing," and have reported headaches
and earaches following exposure.
The use of these devices is increasing exponentially and a proper study
is needed to determine the effects of exposure.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: A.1196 - Referred to Ways and Means
2019-20: A.601- Reported to Ways and Means
2017-18: A.4915 - Reported to Ways and Means
2015-16: A.6253 Referred to Health
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law, and shall expire and be deemed repealed one year after
such effective date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
509
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Health
AN ACT requiring a study to determine the effects that exposure to long
range acoustic devices have on an individual's hearing; and providing
for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The department of health shall engage in a study of long
2 range acoustic devices (LRADs) and the effect of exposure on individ-
3 uals, including the effect on short and long term hearing.
4 § 2. Not later than one year after the effective date of this act, the
5 department of health shall prepare a report setting forth and evaluating
6 the findings of the study.
7 § 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
8 have become a law, and shall expire and be deemed repealed one year
9 after such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00741-01-3
