What's happening
This bill removes the residency requirement for chief animal law enforcement officers and peace officers employed by SPCA societies in New York.
Why it matters
Expands the hiring pool for SPCA law enforcement positions. , allowing these organizations to recruit the most qualified candidates regardless of where they live, which could improve the quality and effectiveness of animal protection and enforcement.
Increases staffing flexibility for SPCA agencies. , potentially helping them address shortages or challenges in finding local candidates willing or able to serve as chief officers or peace officers.
May impact community representation and local accountability. , since officers are no longer required to be residents of the communities they serve, which could affect how connected they are to local issues and concerns.
Aligns SPCA officer requirements with other exemptions in public safety roles. , reflecting a broader trend toward relaxing residency rules for specialized or hard-to-fill law enforcement positions in New York.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End SPCA Residency Requirement
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4143
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 3, 2017
Introduced by Sen. TEDISCO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
AN ACT to amend the public officers law, in relation to eliminating the residency requirement for the chief animal law enforcement officer of a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals and for the peace officers employed thereby
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 3-b of the public officers law is amended by adding a new subdivision 8 to read as follows:
8. Neither the provisions of this section or of any general, special or local law, charter, code, ordinance, resolution, rule or regulation, requiring a person to be a resident of the political subdivision or municipal corporation of the state by which he or she is employed, shall apply to a person employed by a duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals as the chief animal law enforcement officer and persons duly appointed as peace officers of such society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09344-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public officers law, in relation to eliminating the residency requirement for the chief animal law enforcement officer of a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals and for the peace officers employed thereby
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this law is to amend the public officers' law, in relation to eliminating the residency requirement for the chief animal law enforcement officer of a count; and to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to authorizing certain animal societies and pounds to spay or neuter and then release stray cats.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: Section 3-b of the public officer's law is amended by adding a new subdivision 8 to read as follows:
8. Neither the provisions of this section or of any general, special or local law, charter, code, ordinance, resolution, rule or regulation, requiring a person to be a resident of the political subdivision or municipal corporation of the state by which he or she is employed, shall apply to a person employed by a duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals as the chief animal law enforcement officer and persons duly appointed as peace officers of such society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
Justification
Local Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (SPCA) groups have contacted my office stating that they have individuals wanting to assist in the growing number of stray animals and animal cruelty cases. In many cases, SPCA groups wish to hire or appoint peace officers who are living outside the county jurisdiction, and due to current law, these volunteers cannot perform the duties they wish to perform. Removing the residency requirement will allow for volunteers to work for SPCA's in the counties with the most need.
On a separate note, many communities are being overrun by stray cats. Unfortunately, there are not enough homes willing to care for these animals. In turn, they remain in the streets, continue to reproduce and increase their numbers. This leads to sickness, disease, infestations and death. By allowing a "Trap, Neuter and Spay then Release" program (TNR), willing Veterinarians will trap these animals, spay and neuter them, and release them back to where they came from.
Prior legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.