Forward facing blue lights

[QM1to6Ave]

I know we've had discussions on here a few times regarding the various flashing lights that emergency responders can use. Well, I was in the city today and was amazed to see the following on 34th street:

 

First, an NYPD school bus carrying officers in uniform had a forward facing flashing blue light. I thought I had not seen it correctly, since that has not been legal as of yet. But 2 blocks later, I see an MTA NYCT supervisor SUV with...you guessed it...a forward facing flashing blue light. 

 

Has the law finally been changed regarding blue lights? This would explain why the MTA suddenly had to get rid of the flashing blue lights on the SBS buses, especially the M34's. Anyone else seen anything like this recently.