What's happening
This bill grants peace officer status, with specific powers, to security officers employed by Ellis Hospital and its affiliates.
Why it matters
Expands authority of hospital security. By granting peace officer status, Ellis Hospital security staff will have enhanced legal authority to respond to incidents, detain individuals, and intervene in emergencies within hospital grounds and affiliated facilities—potentially leading to swifter, more effective handling of security and safety issues.
Limits and defines scope of powers. The powers granted are specifically limited to those in section 9.41 of the mental hygiene law (related to emergency removal of mentally ill individuals) and certain defined law enforcement powers, rather than full police authority—aiming to balance safety needs with civil liberties.
Firearms restrictions remain in place. Security officers will not automatically be allowed to carry firearms; they must still obtain the proper licensing, addressing concerns about the introduction of more weapons into healthcare environments and the need for appropriate oversight.
Potential impact on patient and staff safety. This change could affect perceptions of safety and the actual security environment for both patients and healthcare workers, particularly in situations involving individuals experiencing mental health crises.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ellis Hospital Security as 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 Ellis Hospital Guards Peace Officers
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Phil Steck
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
759
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. TEDISCO -- 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 peace officer status to officers and members of the security force of Ellis Hospital
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. Officers and members of the security force employed by Ellis Hospital within and directly adjacent to the Ellis Hospital Campus on 1101 Nott Street, Schenectady, New York, and affiliated hospitals and clinics owned or operated by Ellis Hospital, and so designated by the board of trustees of the hospital. Such officers shall have only the powers enumerated in section 9.41 of the mental hygiene law and the powers listed in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (h) of subdivision one of section 2.20 of this article; provided, however, that nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to authorize any 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.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03614-01-9
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 peace officer status to officers and members of the security force of Ellis Hospital
Purpose
To enhance the safety of patients, medical personnel, and the public by granting peace officer status to the hospital's security officers
Summary of provisions
Section one creates a new subdivision in the criminal procedure law to outline the limited terms and conditions under which peace officer status would be granted to security officers at Ellis Hospital. It lists the powers that might be exercised by such peace officers only on or directly adjacent to the grounds and properties of the hospital, its affiliates and clinics. Nothing in the new subdivision shall be deemed to authorize any such officer to carry a firearm unless a license has been issued.
Existing law
Section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law lists those who may be desig- nated as peace officers. A modified or limited peace officer status has been granted by statute in the past to security officers at various hospitals and health care facilities. Most recently, chapters 502 and 504 of the Laws of 2012 granted peace officer status to security offi- cers of Kaleida Health and the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Justification
Ellis Hospital (also known as Ellis Medicine) operates four medical campuses in Schenectady County, including the main hospital on Nott Street, the McClellan Street Health Center (outpatient medical services), the State Street Health Center (outpatient mental health services) and Bellevue Woman's Center. Affiliated services include the Belanger School of Nursing and the Ellis Family Medicine Residency. Medical staff and personnel are experiencing increased numbers of dangerous .encounters that require prompt law enforcement response to protect the safety of patients, medical students, visitors, and medical and support staff. Ellis operates the only Emergency Department and the only 24/7 Mental Health Crisis unit in the County. Ellis is currently the only suboxone provider in the County. As a result, typical emergen- cies may include unauthorized individuals seeking narcotics, disruptive actions by psychiatric patients, threatening behaviors by noncustodial parents, and gang activity surrounding Emergency Department services following community violence. Ellis works closely with local law enforcement, which has raised no objections to this request.
Legislative history
06/18/18: S.9111 REFERRED TO RULES
Fiscal implications
None to the state
Effective date
Ninety days after enactment
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.