What's happening
This bill grants peace officer status to New York City traffic enforcement officers and agents, with restrictions on firearm possession.
Why it matters
Expands authority for NYC traffic enforcement officers. By granting peace officer status, these officers and agents gain enhanced legal authority (such as the ability to make arrests and issue certain summonses), which could significantly change how traffic laws are enforced in New York City.
Limits on firearm possession remain in place. Despite upgraded status, the bill explicitly restricts these officers from carrying, possessing, repairing, or disposing of firearms unless they have obtained a specific firearm license, maintaining public safety and addressing concerns about increased weaponization.
Impacts public interactions and accountability. With new powers, traffic enforcement personnel may have greater discretion in handling situations, which could affect the dynamics of civilian encounters, expectations for officer training, and oversight mechanisms.
Could influence citywide law enforcement strategies. Integrating traffic agents more closely with broader law enforcement roles may allow for more coordinated responses to traffic and minor criminal offenses, potentially affecting overall policing priorities and resource allocation.
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Who cares
New York City traffic enforcement officers
The bill would grant them peace officer status.
New York City traffic enforcement agents
They would also receive peace officer status, but the bill would not authorize them to carry, possess, repair or dispose of firearms without the appropriate license under Penal Law section 400.00.
New York City government
The bill would change the legal status of its traffic enforcement officers and agents beginning November 1 following the date it becomes law.
Headline styles
Make Traffic Agents Peace Officers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
25 Co-sponsors
- William Colton
- Judy Griffin
- Carmen E. Arroyo
- David Weprin
- Felix Ortiz
- Mike LiPetri
- David McDonough
- Walter T. Mosley
- Joe DeStefano
- Diana Richardson
- Andrew Hevesi
- Michael Benedetto
- Angelo J. Morinello
- Karines Reyes
- Sean Ryan
- Harvey Epstein
- Charles Fall
- Mathylde Frontus
- Marcos Crespo
- Alicia Hyndman
- N. Nick Perry
- Vivian Cook
- Rebecca Seawright
- Catalina Cruz
- Inez E. Dickens
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5789
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 19, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ABBATE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to granting peace officer status to traffic enforcement officers and traffic enforcement agents
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 85 to read as follows:
85. Traffic enforcement officers or traffic enforcement agents employed by the city of New York; provided, however, that nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to authorize such officers 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 on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03884-01-9
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.