S 3053 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Directs the New York state bridge authority to provide a report outlining their efforts and progress on decreasing and deterring suicide attempts on authority bridges

This bill (S 3053) requires the New York State Bridge Authority to install specific climb deterrent fencing on all bridges it manages. The fencing must include features like welded wire mesh panels, tightly spaced wires, and spike collars to prevent climbing and grip. It applies to all bridges under the Authority’s jurisdiction and mandates this installation in construction contracts for new bridge work. The law takes effect three years after enactment, with immediate rule changes permitted to implement it.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action May 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S3053 → S3053A · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was significantly rewritten to shift its focus from mandating the immediate installation of anti-climb fencing on bridges to requiring the New York State Bridge Authority to submit a progress report on suicide prevention efforts. The original text demanding physical fencing was removed, while new text was added to mandate a comprehensive report by July 2027 detailing current initiatives, barriers, and recommendations. The bill's timeline was also changed from a permanent mandate to a temporary measure that expires two years after becoming law.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a permanent requirement to install specific physical safety features (climb deterrent fencing) on all bridges to a temporary directive requiring a status report on suicide prevention strategies.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement to install climb deterrent fencing on all bridges under the New York State Bridge Authority's jurisdiction was completely removed.

A new requirement was added for the Bridge Authority to submit a detailed report to the Governor and legislative leaders by July 1, 2027, outlining their efforts to decrease suicide attempts on bridges.

TIMELINE

The bill's effective date was changed to immediate, but it now includes an expiration clause, meaning the law will automatically end two years after it becomes law.

ELIGIBILITY

The specific definition of 'climb deterrent fencing' and the rules governing its installation via construction contracts were removed.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 3053A

upper

May 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO TRANSPORTATION

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO FINANCE

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

upper

1 primary · 7 co-sponsors