What's happening
This bill allows the names of peace officers slain in the line of duty to be added to the state police officers memorial.
Why it matters
Expands recognition and honors. By allowing peace officers (not just police officers) slain in the line of duty to be included on the memorial, the bill gives formal recognition to a broader group of law enforcement personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice, potentially providing solace to their families and colleagues.
Promotes inclusivity in memorialization. The change reflects a growing awareness of the varied roles within public safety and ensures that peace officers—who may serve in roles such as corrections, court security, or other authorized functions—are not excluded from state-level honors.
Discretionary process. The decision to add names is left to the police officers memorial advisory committee, ensuring that there is an evaluative process to determine eligibility and maintain the integrity of the memorial.
Immediate impact. The act takes effect right away, meaning families of fallen peace officers could see their loved ones honored on the memorial without delay, addressing potential past oversights.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Add Slain Peace Officers' Names
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to finance
- Referred to finance
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.
Honor Fallen Peace Officers
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Brian Kolb
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3129
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 4, 2019
Introduced by Sen. HELMING -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT authorizing the division of criminal justice services to add to the police officers memorial the names of peace officers of the state of New York who are slain in the line of duty
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, the names, departments and dates of death of peace officers slain in the line of duty in the state of New York state may, in the discretion of the police officers memorial advisory committee, under the direction of the division of criminal justice services, be added to the police officers memorial located on the Empire State Plaza in the city of Albany.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04205-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act authorizing the division of criminal justice services to add to the police officers memorial the names of peace officers of the state of New York who are slain in the line of duty
Purpose
Allows the names of peace officers slain in the line of duty in the State of New York to be added to the Police Officers Memorial.
Summary of provisions
This bill would allow for the names, departments, and dates of death of peace officers slain in the line of duty in the State of New York, in the discretion of the Police Officers Memorial Advisory Committee, under the discretion of the Division of Criminal Justice Services, to be added to the Police Officers Memorial located on the Empire State Plaza in the City of Albany.
Justification
The intent of the memorial is to honor all fallen state officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Currently, only the names of police officers of New York State and federal law enforcement officers who were slain while in the line of duty may be added to the Police Officers Memorial. Many peace officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our local communities safe and some have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their heroic actions. These peace officers should right- fully be included in the memorial and should not be omitted simply because they did not hold the title of police officer.
Prior legislative history
2017/2018: Referred to Finance 2015/2016: Referred to Finance
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.