What's happening
This bill grants peace officer status to court reporters in New York's first and second departments, with firearm restrictions.
Why it matters
Expands legal authority. By granting peace officer status to court reporters in New York’s first and second departments, the bill gives these employees certain powers and protections under criminal procedure law, which could affect how they interact with the public, law enforcement, and the courts.
Firearm restrictions remain. Even with peace officer status, court reporters are explicitly prohibited from carrying, possessing, repairing, or disposing of firearms unless they have been issued a proper license, ensuring an added layer of oversight and public safety.
Potential shift in courtroom dynamics. The new status may impact the day-to-day operations and responsibilities of court reporters, possibly altering their role perception, authority, and expectations within the judicial system, which could influence both workplace culture and security practices.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Court Reporters Get Peace Officer Status
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
459
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- 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 granting certain court reporters peace officer status
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 21 of section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law is amended by adding a new paragraph g to read as follows:
g. Court reporters in the first and second departments, provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to authorize such employees 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 immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05295-01-9
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 granting certain court reporters peace officer status
Summary of specific provisions
Subdivision 21 of Section 2.10 of the Criminal Procedure Law is amended by adding a new paragraph g.
Justification
Senior court reporters are entrusted in making a true and accurate record of trial proceedings. They transcribe records of Civil Court cases and Criminal felony trials cases across the State. They are responsible for keeping the official court transcripts and can provide copy of the trial to judges and attorneys on record. Court reporters are an integral part of the courtroom and work with judges, court officers and court clerks ---all who are designated Peace Officers. It is time court reporters are treated with the same peace officer status.
Prior legislative history
2018: S.5195-A - Died on Third Reading Calendar/ A.6245-A- Referred to Codes 2017: S.5195-A - Passed Senate / A.6245-A - Referred to Codes 2016: S.6691 - Passed Senate /A.7566 - Referred to Codes
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.