What's happening
This bill grants Chautauqua Institution public safety officers peace officer status with specific powers and training requirements within institution properties.
Why it matters
Expands local authority and safety presence. By granting Chautauqua Institution the ability to appoint its own peace officers with clearly defined powers, the institution gains more direct control over security and law enforcement on its grounds, which could improve responsiveness to incidents and community safety.
Limits and clarifies peace officer powers. The bill restricts officers’ authority to institution-owned or -controlled property and adjacent public areas, only allowing broader jurisdiction in coordination with the county sheriff for specific duties like transporting arrestees—helping to prevent overreach and clarify roles relative to local police.
Imposes professional standards and safeguards. Officers must complete New York State’s basic peace officer training (including firearms training) and meet other statutory requirements, ensuring a professional and qualified force that aligns with statewide standards.
Provides legal protections and accountability. The institution must indemnify relevant municipalities and employees against claims arising from these officers’ actions (except when acting for the sheriff), which clarifies liability and could encourage better oversight and risk management.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Chautauqua Institution trustees
The bill would let the board appoint and remove public safety officers designated as peace officers, who would remain Institution employees under its supervision and control.
Chautauqua Institution public safety officers
Designated officers would gain peace officer powers on Institution premises and abutting public streets and sidewalks, with required training and a separate license needed for firearm authority.
Chautauqua County sheriff
The bill would allow the sheriff or a designee to request that Institution peace officers transport arrested individuals beyond their usual geographic area when no local law enforcement officer is available in a timely manner.
Affected municipalities and their officers and employees
The Institution would have to provide legal defense and indemnification for claims arising from the peace officers’ special duties, except when those officers act as agents of the county sheriff or a designee.
Headline styles
Give Peace Officer Status
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Held for consideration in codes
- Print number 5433b
- Amend (t) and recommit to codes
- Print number 5433a
- 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 Chautauqua Officers Peace Officers
In Senate Committee · Codes · Sponsor George Borrello
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5433--B
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 12, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. GOODELL -- 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 -again reported from said committee with amendments, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to peace officer status of public safety officers of the Chautauqua Institution within the grounds of and properties owned by the Chautauqua Institution
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 86 to read as follows:
86. (a) Public safety officers of the Chautauqua Institution who are designated as peace officers by the board of trustees of the Chautauqua Institution pursuant to paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this subdivision; 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.
(b) For the protection of the grounds, buildings and property of the Chautauqua Institution, the prevention of crime and the enforcement of law and order, the board of trustees of the Chautauqua Institution may appoint and remove such number of public safety officers designated as peace officers as is determined by the board of trustees to be necessary for the maintenance of public order consistent with this subdivision. Such Chautauqua Institution peace officers so appointed shall be employees of the Chautauqua Institution and subject to its supervision and control. Such Chautauqua Institution peace officers shall have the powers of peace officers within the geographic area of employment on the grounds or premises owned, controlled or administered by the Chautauqua
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09287-11-0
A. 5433--B 2
Institution within the county of Chautauqua, on any public street and sidewalk that abuts the grounds, buildings or property of the Chautauqua Institution, and beyond such geographic area upon the request of the sheriff of Chautauqua County, or his or her designee, for the purpose of transporting an individual who has been arrested in accordance with section 140.27 of this chapter and when no local law enforcement officer is available for transporting such individual in a timely manner.
(c) The Chautauqua Institution shall provide legal defense and indemnification to applicable municipalities and its officers and employees, and hold them harmless, against all claims arising out of conduct by or injury to such peace officers while carrying out their special duties, except in those situations when they are acting as agents of the Chautauqua County sheriff or his or her designee.
(d) To become eligible for designation as a Chautauqua Institution peace officer, a candidate shall, at a minimum, successfully complete the New York state basic course for peace officers with firearms and any other requirements as set forth in section 2.30 of this article.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.