What's happening
This bill requires the MTA to install and maintain surveillance cameras at all subway stations and platforms.
Why it matters
Expanded surveillance coverage. By requiring cameras in all areas frequented by passengers (not just entrances or token booths), the bill significantly increases oversight across the entire subway station, potentially improving safety and aiding investigations.
Operational responsibility. The bill places direct responsibility on the MTA not only to install but also to ensure the proper operation of surveillance cameras, which means ongoing maintenance and functionality are legally mandated, potentially reducing gaps in coverage.
Privacy and public trust implications. The expansion of surveillance in public transit raises important questions about rider privacy, data storage, and usage, which could impact public trust in the MTA and set precedents for surveillance in other public spaces.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Install Subway Platform Cameras
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
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.
Install Cameras on Subway Platforms
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8281
IN SENATE
May 4, 2020
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring the metropolitan transportation authority to install surveillance cameras at subway platforms
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Sedrick's law".
§ 2. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 1266-l to read as follows:
§ 1266-l. Surveillance cameras; subway stations. The authority shall install and ensure proper operation of surveillance cameras at all subway stations operated by such authority. Such surveillance cameras shall be placed in all areas frequented by passengers, including all train platforms.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15576-03-0
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring the metropolitan transportation authority to install surveillance cameras at subway platforms
Purpose
This bill will mandate the MTA to have surveillance cameras on all subway platforms.
Summary of specific provision
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Sedrick's law"
§ 2. The public authorities' law is amended by adding a new section 1266-1 to read as follows:
§ 1266-1. Surveillance cameras; subway stations. The authority shall install and ensure proper operation of surveillance cameras at all subway stations operated by such authority. Such surveillance cameras shall be placed in all areas frequented by passengers, including all train platforms.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
Justification
Towards the end of 2019 a 36-year-old victim by the name of Sedrick Simon was struck by a Manhattan-bound Q train at the Newkirk Avenue station near East 16th Street in Brooklyn at approximately 7 a.m. It remains unclear to officials how this incident occurred, whether it was forceful, accidental or intentional. Providing surveillance cameras on all train platforms, where there is less visibility (out of the site of flowing traffic near turnstiles) and a greater chance of fatal impact, would be useful not only as a deterrent, but as source of information for law enforcement when trying to identify a series of events. Although this was during the day, the MTA subways system for the most part runs around the clock. Considering that traffic is greatly reduced during off-hours, residents still require this mode of transportation for work. Surveillance cameras on subway platform would provide an added layer of safety.
Prior legislative history
New Bill
Effective date
This act shall take effect one year after it shall become law, with a four-year phase in period; provided, however, that any rules or regu- lations necessary to implement the provisions of this act shall be promulgated on or before such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.