What's happening
This bill grants limited peace officer status to security personnel at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital and its affiliates in Cooperstown, NY.
Why it matters
Expands authority for hospital security. By granting limited peace officer status, the bill allows security personnel to perform certain law enforcement functions (such as detaining individuals or addressing certain emergencies) on hospital property, potentially improving safety and response times for staff, patients, and visitors.
Strictly limits scope and powers. Security personnel will have only specific powers, including those related to mental health interventions and a subset of law enforcement authorities. This targeted approach aims to balance increased authority with safeguards against overreach.
Firearm restrictions remain in place. The legislation does not automatically allow security officers to carry firearms; they must obtain the appropriate license like any other individual, addressing concerns about introducing more weapons into the hospital environment.
Applies to affiliates and designated staff. The new status covers not just the main hospital, but also affiliated clinics and hospitals operated by Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, and only those staff formally designated by the hospital’s board—ensuring oversight and accountability.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Hospital Security Become Peace Officers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 4468a
- Amend and recommit to codes
- 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 James L. Seward
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4468--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 2, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. MAGEE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes -- recommitted to the Committee on Codes in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to granting peace officer status to officers and members of the security force of the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital Network
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 85 to read as follows:
85. Officers and members of the security force employed by Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital within and directly adjacent to the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital Campus in Cooperstown, New York, and affiliated hospitals and clinics owned or operated by Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, and so designated by the board of trustees of the hospital. Such officers shall have only the powers enumerated in section 9.41 of the mental hygiene law and the powers listed in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (h) of subdivision one of section 2.20 of this article; provided, however, that nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to authorize any 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 on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07218-03-8
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.