The Overview
If you rely on relay calls to stay in touch with family or handle everyday business, this new law affects you: it keeps the workforce behind that service authorized through 2030. A law signed in June restructures New York's telecommunications relay service center as a state-wide workforce and extends that workforce's authorization to June 30, 2030.
New York's Relates to the New York telecommunications relay service center, A 10415, became law when Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed it June 26. The Federal Communications Commission describes telecommunications relay services as systems that let people with hearing or speech disabilities communicate by telephone with people who do not have those disabilities, with a relay operator's assistance.
What the Law Does
The law restructures the New York telecommunications relay service center as a state-wide workforce. It also extends the legal authorization for that workforce from June 30, 2027 to June 30, 2030, a three-year extension that keeps the program running without requiring another act of the legislature in the near term.
New York's Department of Public Service describes the state relay service as enabling intrastate calls between people with hearing or speech disabilities and other callers, with a relay operator's assistance at no charge, according to the New York Department of Public Service. The three-year extension means users who rely on the service can expect continuity through mid-2030 without interruption tied to a lapse in the workforce's legal standing.
Legislative Status
Asm. Bill Magnarelli (D-NY-129) was the sole lead sponsor of the bill. Every recorded vote was unanimous, reflecting broad support across both chambers.
The Assembly passed the bill 134-0 on May 14. The lower chamber voted 133-0 on May 28 to reconsider the bill. On June 4, the Assembly passed one measure 139-0, and the Senate passed a measure 60-0.
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