Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) is proud to announce that on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the “Alexander John Smullen Traffic Safety Memorial Law” unanimously passed in the New York State Assembly and Senate. Also known as Assembly Bill A.3938-B/S.5568-B, this proposal will establish a traffic safety memorial sign program to publicly memorialize the victims of fatal vehicle collisions. This legislation is named in honor of Smullen’s late son, Alexander John “AJ” Smullen, who tragically passed away on March 6, 2024, at the age of 14 following a fierce fight in the Pediatric ICU after being hit by a car on February 22, 2024.

“It is great to see this common-sense, bipartisan proposal pass in the Assembly and Senate here in Albany,” said Smullen. “This law, which honors the life and legacy of my son AJ, will help bring peace to families of victims killed in vehicle collisions and keep everyone safe on the road. Each and every sign placed will serve as an important reminder to all drivers in New York state: The consequences of impaired, reckless or distracted driving are often deadly.”

Now that the Alexander John Smullen Traffic Safety Memorial Law has passed in the Assembly and Senate, Smullen asks Gov. Hochul to sign it and the New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner to implement it statewide.

“Thank you to all my colleagues across the aisle for supporting me and my son with the passage of this proposal in the Assembly and Senate. Special thanks to Sen. Patricia Fahy for becoming the Senate sponsor of the bill, and thank you to all of my colleagues who have signed on as co-sponsors. I will continue to advocate for this proposal until it is signed into law and implemented to improve traffic safety, reduce collisions and save lives statewide,” concluded Smullen.