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A6265Assembly2019-2020 Session

Allow Noncitizens as First Responders

Official title

“Authorizes localities to remove citizenship requirements for police and firefighters in their jurisdictions”

Sponsor N. Nick PerryAD-58
Status
In Assembly Committee
Governmental Operations
Impact
5/10
Moderate
Passage
0%

Bill progress

Step 2 of 7

In committee · Governmental Operations

What's happening

This bill allows local governments in New York to remove citizenship requirements for police officers and firefighters.

Why it matters

  1. Expands the potential pool of police officers and firefighters. by allowing non-citizens to be considered for these roles if local governments choose to change their requirements. This could help address staffing shortages in some communities.

  2. Gives local control and flexibility. to cities, towns, and districts, letting them decide whether citizenship should be a prerequisite for public safety positions rather than imposing a statewide mandate.

  3. May increase diversity and representation. within police and fire departments, potentially improving community relations, especially in areas with large immigrant populations.

  4. Raises questions about eligibility and vetting. , as localities would need to ensure appropriate background checks and legal work authorization for non-citizen applicants trusted with public safety duties.

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Who cares

Headline styles

Allow Noncitizens as First Responders

Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.

Sponsors

Primary sponsor
N. Nick Perry

Assembly Member · Assembly District 58

History

  1. Referred to governmental operations
  2. Referred to governmental operations

Full text

1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗

STATE OF NEW YORK

6265

2019-2020 Regular Sessions

IN ASSEMBLY

March 4, 2019

Introduced by M. of A. PERRY -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GOTT- FRIED, ORTIZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations

AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to authorizing the removal of citizenship requirements from police and firefighters by local law

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. The general municipal law is amended by adding a new section 209-ii to read as follows:

§ 209-ii. Citizenship requirements of police and firefighters. Notwithstanding any general, special or local law or administrative code to the contrary, the local governing bodies of the several cities, towns, villages, police and fire districts of the state are hereby authorized to remove, by local law, rule or ordinance, any citizenship requirements from the qualifications of police officers and firefighters.

§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

[ ] is old law to be omitted.

LBD05247-01-9

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.