§ 837-h. Livery vehicle safety training program; standards; eligibility; reports. 1. The commissioner, in consultation with the division of state police and the local licensing authority as defined in section six hundred twenty-one of this chapter, shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the efficient operation of a livery vehicle safety training program. Such rules and regulations issued, adopted or amended must at a minimum provide:

(a) the development of a training program curriculum which includes instruction on:

(i) methods to maximize personal safety, including information on available equipment and technologies;

(ii) effective passenger management and communications skills;

(iii) vehicular and pedestrian safety, including a review of the applicable provisions of the vehicle and traffic law; and

(iv) any other subject relevant to the public health and safety in the operation of livery vehicles;

(b) the procedure by which the provider agencies make application to receive funding to operate a program and the form of the application;

(c) the procedure by which provider agencies report to the commissioner regarding the provision of program services and the form of the report;

(d) the procedure for periodic monitoring and evaluation of the livery vehicle safety training program. 2. Each provider agency shall prepare a plan, to be approved by the commissioner, for the provision of program services to eligible drivers. Such plan shall include, at a minimum, the nature of the services to be rendered, how the services comply with the developed curriculum, the cost associated with rendering such services and a description of how the services will enhance livery vehicle safety. For the purposes of this section the term "provider agency" shall mean a county, municipal, local unit of government or a college or a university or a law enforcement agency or a not-for-profit entity. 3. Each provider agency shall furnish the commissioner a written report in a format and at a time to be determined by the commissioner, subject to standards promulgated pursuant to this section which shall, at a minimum contain:

(a) a description of how the assistance provided, in accordance with the program established herein, enhanced livery vehicle services; and

(b) the nature and costs of program services provided. 4. For the purposes of this section the term "livery vehicle" shall have the same meaning as the term "livery", as defined in section six hundred twenty-one of this chapter. 5. Nothing contained in this section shall impose liability upon the division or the state for death, injury or loss incurred by a driver by reason of that driver having participated in the livery vehicle safety training program.