What's happening
This bill designates the animal control officer in Sand Lake, Rensselaer County, as a peace officer with limited law enforcement powers.
Why it matters
Expands enforcement powers for animal control. By designating the animal control officer as a peace officer, the bill allows that officer to enforce animal cruelty laws (Article 26 of Agriculture and Markets Law) and issue appearance tickets for violations (Article 7), potentially leading to stronger and more immediate local animal welfare enforcement.
Local discretion and flexibility. The Sand Lake town board has the authority to designate the animal control officer as a constable, giving the town flexibility in how much law enforcement power and responsibility it wishes to confer on this position.
Limits on firearm authority. The bill specifically prohibits the animal control officer from carrying or possessing firearms unless they have obtained the proper license, addressing safety and oversight concerns while expanding other law enforcement powers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Make Sand Lake Officer Peace Officer
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to rules
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8956
IN SENATE
September 2, 2020
Introduced by Sen. JORDAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to designating the animal control officer in the town of Sand Lake as a peace officer
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 60 to read as follows:
60. The animal control officer of the town of Sand Lake, Rensselaer county, who at the discretion of the town board of the town of Sand Lake may be designated as a constable for the purpose of enforcing article twenty-six of the agriculture and markets law, and for the purpose of issuing appearance tickets permitted under article seven of such law; provided, however, that nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to authorize 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 immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD17145-02-0
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to designating the animal control officer in the town of Sand Lake as a peace officer
Summary of provisions
Section 1 bill amends Section 2.10 of the Criminal Procedure law to authorize the town board of the Town of Sand Lake to designate the animal control officer as a peace officer, allowing them to enforce animal cruelty provisions of Article 26 of the Agriculture and Markets law. The animal control officer is further prohibited from carrying firearms unless appropriately licensed pursuant to Section 400.00 of the Penal law.
Section 2 sets forth the effective date.
Justification
The Town of Sand Lake in Rensselaer County has requested the ability to designate their animal control officer as a peace officer. This would allow them to enforce provisions of the Agriculture and Markets law relating to animal cruelty. The bill would not, however, allow the animal control officer in Sand Lake to carry a firearm. This legislation will help the town better respond to and handle incidents of animal cruelty while relieving the administrative burden on local law enforce- ment.
Legislative history
New bill.
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.