What's happening
This bill establishes a state task force to review and improve campus safety and emergency preparedness at New York colleges.
Why it matters
Creates a diverse, multi-stakeholder task force. The task force includes representatives from university administrations (public and private), students, parents, faculty, law enforcement, public safety, psychologists, and mental health advocates. This broad composition ensures that multiple perspectives and areas of expertise shape campus safety recommendations.
Focuses on both physical and mental health emergencies. Notably, the bill mandates a subcommittee led by mental health professionals to develop standardized procedures for handling mental health crises on campus. This reflects the growing recognition of mental health as a core component of campus safety.
Empowers the task force to gather extensive input and data. The task force is authorized to request assistance, data, and facilities from any state or local agency, and can hold both public and private hearings across the state. This could lead to more comprehensive and informed recommendations, as well as greater public engagement.
Sets a clear timeline and mandate for action. Requiring the task force to report findings and legislative recommendations within six months of its first meeting creates a sense of urgency and accountability—potentially accelerating improvements in campus safety policies statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Campus Safety Task Force
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
41
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PERRY, COOK, JAFFEE, GALEF, FINCH, COLTON -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. CUSICK, KOLB, LENTOL, MAGNARELLI, McDO- NOUGH, M. G. MILLER, ORTIZ, THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to establish the state task force on campus safety; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The state task force on campus safety (hereinafter referred to as "the task force") is hereby established. The task force shall conduct and complete a thorough examination and review of the status of safety and emergency preparedness at college campuses and universities and other institutions of learning within New York state; and propose a central operation to coordinate efforts and disseminate information during and immediately following an emergency. A subcommittee of such task force consisting primarily of mental health experts shall develop standard guidelines and procedures for use by campus administration to deal with episodes of mental illness occurring on campus.
§ 2. a. The task force shall consist of eleven members appointed by the governor, as follows: one representing the administration of independent colleges and universities; one representing the administration of SUNY and CUNY campuses; one representative of parents of college students; one representative of college students; one representative each of faculty from the independent and SUNY/CUNY campuses; one representative of law enforcement; one representative of public safety or security experts; one representative from a recognized psychologist association; one representative from mental health advocacy groups; and one person to chair the task force. Six members of the task force shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business of the task force.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02571-01-9
A. 41 2
b. No member, officer or employee of the task force shall be disqualified from holding any other public office or employment, nor shall he or she forfeit any such office or employment by reason of his or her appointment pursuant to this act, notwithstanding the provisions of any general, special or local law, ordinance or city charter.
c. The members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.
§ 3. Additionally, all other departments or agencies of the state or subdivisions thereof, and local governments shall, at the request of the chair, provide the task force such facilities, assistance, and data as will enable the task force to carry out its powers and duties.
§ 4. The task force may meet and hold public and/or private hearings within the regions of the state, and shall have all the powers of an executive body pursuant to the executive law.
§ 5. The task force shall make a report of its findings to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly, within six months of the date of the task force's first meeting. Such report shall include recommendations for further action and legislation.
§ 6. This act shall take effect immediately and shall continue in full force and effect until the thirty-first day of December in the year next succeeding the year in which it shall have become a law, when upon such date the provisions of this act shall expire and be deemed repealed.
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.