What's happening
This bill grants limited peace officer powers to Albany Medical Center security staff on specified properties, with restrictions on firearms.
Why it matters
Expands safety authority on hospital grounds. By granting limited peace officer powers to Albany Medical Center security staff, the bill enables quicker, on-site responses to security issues, potentially improving staff, patient, and visitor safety across a wide swath of medical and administrative properties.
Restricts scope and oversight. The powers given are tightly defined: officers can only act within a specified set of buildings, adjacent areas, and parking garages, and are limited to certain law enforcement actions (like detaining individuals and specific actions under the mental hygiene law), reducing risks of overreach.
Addresses mental health and public safety. Including the authority to act under section 9.41 of the mental hygiene law means these officers can intervene in mental health crises, which could lead to faster, more appropriate handling of psychiatric emergencies before police arrive.
Limits armed presence. The explicit prohibition on carrying firearms without a proper license adds a layer of accountability and aims to balance increased security with concerns about the risks of arming non-police personnel.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Make Hospital Guards Peace Officers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Make Hospital Guards Peace Officers
In Senate Committee · Codes · Sponsor Neil D. Breslin
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 3173 A. 2400
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
January 20, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. BRESLIN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. FAHY, McDONALD -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to granting peace officer status to certain security services officers employed by Albany Medical Center
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law is amended by adding a new subdivision 84 to read as follows:
84. Members of the security force employed by Albany Medical Center within and directly adjacent to the buildings on the medical center campus located at 43 New Scotland Ave, Albany, New York; Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave in Albany, New York; the adjacent and separate garages located at 40 New Scotland Ave, 60 New Scotland Ave, and 405 Myrtle Ave, Albany, New York; adjacent medical and administrative buildings located at 391 Myrtle Ave, 16 New Scotland Ave, 22 New Scotland Ave, 50 New Scotland Ave; 628 Madison Ave, in Albany, New York; the South Clinical Campus and adjacent buildings located at 23 Hackett Blvd, 25 Hackett Blvd, 35 Hackett Blvd, 58-60 Hackett Blvd, 1 Clara Barton Dr; 14 St. James Pl, Albany, New York; and the 1275 Broadway Building located in Menands, New York, all of which are owned or operated by Albany Medical Center. These officers shall only have the powers in section 9.41 of the mental hygiene law and the powers listed in paragraphs (c) and (h) of subdivision one of section 2.20 of this article, as well as the power to detain an individual for a reasonable period of time while awaiting the arrival of law enforcement, provided that the officer has actual knowledge, or probable cause to believe, that such individual has committed an offense; provided however, that nothing in
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02674-01-7
S. 3173 2 A. 2400
this subdivision shall be deemed to authorize such officer to carry, possess, repair or dispose of a firearm unless the appropriate license therefor has been issued pursuant to section 400.00 of the penal law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.