What's happening
This bill grants peace officer status to uniformed members of the Town of Islip's bureau of fire prevention, with restrictions on firearm possession.
Why it matters
Expands legal authority. By making Islip's bureau of fire prevention members peace officers, the bill gives them broader powers such as issuing summonses, making arrests, and conducting investigations related to fire laws, which could strengthen fire safety enforcement in the town.
Limits on firearms. The bill specifically restricts these new peace officers from carrying or possessing firearms unless they obtain a separate, proper license—addressing concerns about arming non-police personnel and ensuring additional oversight.
Clarifies jurisdiction. The peace officer status is limited to duties concerning fire prevention and response, which helps prevent mission creep and maintains their focus strictly on fire-related matters, not general law enforcement.
Potential impact on public safety. This change could lead to faster and more efficient responses to fire safety violations or emergencies, possibly reducing risks to the public and property by empowering fire prevention officers to act directly within their area of expertise.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Give Fire Inspectors Police Powers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 4
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Vetoed memo.216
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.420
- Substituted for A8215
- Referred to codes
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 55–7
- Ordered to third reading cal.1845
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- 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.
Give Islip Fire Inspectors Authority
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Andrew R. Garbarino
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
640
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BOYLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to granting uniformed members of the bureau of fire prevention of the town of Islip peace officer status
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. Uniformed members of the bureau of fire prevention of the town of Islip, when acting pursuant to their special duties in matters arising under laws relating to fires, the extinguishment thereof and fire perils; provided, however, that nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to authorize such members 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.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05399-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to granting uniformed members of the bureau of fire prevention of the town of Islip peace officer status
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill grants peace officer status to members of the Town of Islip's Bureau of Fire Prevention.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends Section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law by adding a new subdivision 84 which establishes uniformed members of the Town of Islip Bureau of Fire Prevention as having peace officer status.
Justification
Peace officers are able to investigate and prosecute arson cases and take statements in the field and in depositions. This bill would expand the powers of the members of the Town of Islip Bureau of Fire Prevention to include those duties, as well as allow members to inspect premises for violations of ordinances and conditions liable to cause fire. It would also provide training to the members in evidence, searches and seizures.
Prior legislative history
2016: Passed Senate 2013-2014: S.7470 - Veto'd Memo 524 2011-2012: S.4104/A.10731 - Veto 35. 2009-10: A.8333 - Passed Assembly, No Same-As in Senate. 2008: S.8183-A/A.10971-A Veto 131 2007: S.6195/A.9141 - Veto 121.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
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.