What's happening
This bill repeals a provision of county law regarding access to records of calls made to a municipality’s E911 system.
Why it matters
Transparency and Privacy Balance. Repealing this provision could make it harder for the public or media to access records of E911 calls, potentially reducing government transparency about emergency response activities, but it may enhance the privacy of individuals involved in emergencies.
Impact on Oversight and Accountability. Without access to these records, it may be more difficult for watchdog groups, journalists, or citizens to scrutinize how emergency services respond to calls, which could affect efforts to hold agencies accountable for their actions.
Legal and Investigative Consequences. The change could complicate legal cases or investigations that rely on 911 call records as evidence, possibly impacting both defense and prosecution strategies in criminal and civil proceedings.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End E911 Call Record Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to local government
- Referred to local government
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.
End E911 Call Record Access
In Assembly Committee · Local Governments · Sponsor Thomas Abinanti
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
74
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
AN ACT to repeal subdivision 4 of section 308 of the county law, relating to access to records of calls made to a municipality's E911 system
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 308 of the county law is REPEALED.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00024-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to repeal subdivision 4 of section 308 of the county law, relating to access to records of calls made to a municipality's E911 system
Purpose
Subdivision 4 of section 308 of the County Law prohibits the disclosure of records from enhanced 911 (or "E911") emergency systems. This bill repeals that prohibition to make such records subject to the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).
Summary of provisions
Section 1 repeals subdivision 4 of section 308 of the county law.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
E911 systems allow the recipients of emergency calls to see the phone number used to make the call, as well as the location from which the call was made. Subdivision 4 of section 308 of the County Law prohibits the disclosure of such records.
Repealing the disclosure prohibition would allow the records to be made available by law enforcement officials, the individuals who made the calls, and/or the public in instances where there is no valid basis for denying access.
The protections these records would be provided under FOIL would prevent unwarranted invasions of privacy, protect victims of or witnesses to crimes, and preclude interference with a law enforcement investigation. This law would not pertain to New York City, which for years has granted or denied access to 911 records as appropriate under the provisions of FOIL.
This legislation is consistent with a recommendation made by the New York State Committee on Open Government in its 2014 annual report.
Legislative history
S.1175 of 2015-2016 (Hoylman): Died in Local Government
Fiscal implications
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.