What's happening
This bill designates certain tactical medical providers in municipal police departments as peace officers, with restrictions on firearm possession.
Why it matters
Expands the definition of "peace officer". to include tactical medical providers (physicians, paramedics, EMTs) employed by municipal police departments, giving them certain legal authorities and protections, such as making arrests or carrying out specific law enforcement duties.
Enables tactical medical providers to operate more fully within police tactical teams. , allowing them to provide on-scene medical care during high-risk operations while having recognized legal status, which may improve emergency response and safety for both officers and civilians.
Restricts firearm possession. for these newly designated peace officers, requiring them to obtain a separate firearm license, which addresses concerns about arming non-traditional law enforcement personnel and maintains oversight on who can carry firearms.
May impact departmental protocols and training. , as police agencies would need to clarify roles, responsibilities, and training standards for medical personnel who are now also peace officers, potentially affecting department liability, insurance, and operational planning.
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Who cares
Licensed physicians, paramedics and emergency medical technicians
They could receive peace officer status as tactical medical providers designated by a municipal police department head or sheriff.
Municipal police department heads and sheriffs
The bill would authorize them to designate tactical medical providers as peace officers.
Tactical medical providers seeking to carry firearms
The designation would not authorize them to carry, possess, repair or dispose of a firearm without the appropriate license under Penal Law section 400.00.
Headline styles
Make SWAT Medics Peace Officers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- 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 SWAT Medics Peace Officers
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Robert J. Rodriguez
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
243
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to designating tactical medical providers employed by a municipal police department as peace officers
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. A tactical medical provider designated by the head of a municipal police department or sheriff; provided, however, that nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to authorize 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. For purposes of this subdivision a tactical medical provider shall mean a licensed physician, paramedic or emergency medical technician.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02493-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to designating tactical medical providers employed by a munici- pal police department as peace officers
Purpose or general idea
This legislation provides peace officer status to a tactical medical provider designated by the head of a municipal police department or sheriff.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law to add a new subdivision 85 to allow for a licensed physician, paramedic, or EMT who is designated by the head of a police department or sheriff to be deemed a peace officer.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
Throughout the State a few police departments employ physicians who are deployed whenever a SWAT team is activated, one such jurisdiction is North Tonawanda. This doctor has completed Peace Office School and accompanies the SWAT team on the raid from riding to the site, to breaching and entering the house, throughout the entire process. This unique relationship allows SWAT team members or any other individual hurt or wounded during deployment to receive critically needed medical attention as soon as possible. Conveying Peace Officer Status would be a great benefit to the Police Department
Legislative history
S. 6643 of 2016; Advanced to Third Reading S. 1851 of 2017/2018; Referred to Codes Committee
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.