What's happening
This bill prohibits New York State Police from using unmarked or undercover vehicles and officers for routine traffic enforcement.
Why it matters
Limits the potential for confusion or fear among drivers. by ensuring only clearly marked State Police vehicles and uniformed officers conduct routine traffic stops, which could enhance trust and clarity during traffic enforcement encounters.
Addresses concerns about accountability and transparency. in policing, as marked vehicles and uniformed officers are more easily identifiable, reducing opportunities for misconduct or abuse of authority during routine traffic stops.
May impact the effectiveness of certain traffic enforcement strategies. , such as catching aggressive or reckless drivers who might behave differently when they see marked police cars, potentially requiring new approaches to road safety.
Shifts the balance between public safety and civil liberties. by prioritizing visible, accountable policing over covert tactics for everyday traffic-related offenses, which could influence broader discussions about law enforcement practices in New York.
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
Headline styles
Ban Unmarked Police Cars
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.
Ban Unmarked Cars For Tickets
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Nathalia Fernandez
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4075
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 27, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BIAGGI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to prohibiting the use of unmarked police vehicles, concealed identify police vehicles and undercover police officers for routine traffic enforcement
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 228 to read as follows:
§ 228. Prohibition of routine use of unmarked police vehicles. Unmarked police vehicles, concealed identity police vehicles, and undercover police officers shall not be used by the state police for the routine stopping or apprehension of motorists for offenses relating to the vehicle and traffic law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03977-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to prohibiting the use of unmarked police vehicles, concealed identify police vehicles and undercover police officers for routine traffic enforcement
Purpose of bill
The act prohibits unmarked police vehicles or officers from giving traf- fic violations.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: The executive law is amended by adding a new section 228 that will bar unmarked police cars and officers from stopping or apprehending motorists for traffic violations.
Section 2: This act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
Allowing undercover cars and officers to stop motorists for traffic violations can become a further hazard. The driver has no way of knowing if that is an actual officer/vehicle behind them, or just someone who purchased the lights. A random car flashing sirens could cause panic and reckless driving for drivers.
In order to avoid those kinds of accidents, only clearly marked vehicles should be able to stop for traffic violations.
Legislative history
A11362 of 2018 referred to governmental operations
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.