What's happening
This bill designates all court clerks in New York's unified court system as peace officers statewide.
Why it matters
Expands legal authority for court clerks statewide. By designating all court clerks as peace officers, this bill broadens who can exercise limited law enforcement powers within court facilities, such as making arrests, issuing summonses, and carrying out warrants.
Potentially increases security and enforcement capacity. Granting peace officer status could allow court clerks to respond more directly to incidents or emergencies in courts across New York, possibly reducing reliance on other law enforcement personnel and speeding up interventions.
Raises questions about training and oversight. With expanded powers, clerks may require additional training on use of force, arrest procedures, and de-escalation, and the unified court system may need to develop new oversight or accountability mechanisms.
May affect court operations and workplace dynamics. The shift from administrative to law enforcement responsibilities could change the daily roles and expectations for court clerks, with implications for workplace safety, labor relations, and court culture.
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Who cares
Court clerks outside the First and Second Departments
The bill would extend peace officer designation to them by removing the geographic restriction in current law.
Court clerks in the First and Second Departments
Their existing peace officer designation would remain while the bill extends that status to all Unified Court System clerks.
Unified Court System administrators
The bill would make peace officer designation apply to court clerks systemwide rather than only in the First and Second Departments.
Headline styles
Make Court Clerks Peace Officers
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
1149
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. OBERACKER -- 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 providing that all court clerks of the unified court system shall be designated as peace officers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph b of subdivision 21 of section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law, as added by chapter 843 of the laws of 1980, is amended to read as follows:
b. Court clerks of the unified court system [in the first and second departments].
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03554-01-5
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 providing that all court clerks of the unified court system shall be designated as peace officers
Purpose
Would allow Chief Clerks in the 3rd and 4th departments to be allowed Peace Officer status the same as those in the 1st and 2nd departments.
Summary of provisions
Allows Chief Clerks Peace Officer status in the 3rd and 4th departments of the Unified Court System.
Existing law
None
Justification
Allowing Chief Clerks of the 3rd and 4th departments Peace Office status.
Legislative history
S7722 of 2023-2024 - Referred to Committee on Rules
Local and state fiscal implications
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.