Establishes a voluntary surveillance access database

BILL NUMBER:S6796A

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a voluntary surveillance access database

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of the bill is to authorize the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to establish and maintain a confidential database that can help law enforcement agencies after a crime has been committed.

Summary of specific provisions

Establishing a new section 718 to the executive law that will be voluntary, confidential, and accessible to law enforcement agencies upon request. Residential home owners and business owners will have the option registering the location of surveillance cameras along with the contact name and information of the owner of such equipment.

Justification

Law enforcement agencies will have the ability to find locations of privately owned surveillance cameras in a specific area in response to a criminal investigation. After a crime has been committed, detectives usually have to go door to door in order to find out who has surveillance cameras, this method can be time consuming and differences in many surveillance systems can cause evidence to be erased or recorded over if not detected in time. Residents are only registering their surveillance system locations. They are under no obligation to make those images available and can withdraw from the database at any time. The database is confidential and shall not be made available for disclosure or inspection under the state freedom of information law unless a subpoena or other court order directs the owner to release such information or image.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made ad completed on or before such effective date.