New York Assembly Bill A04896

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/10/25
• Refer: 2/10/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Designates ordinance officers of the city of Mount Vernon police department as peace officers; authorizes such officers to carry a firearm while performing duties as a peace officer if appropriate license has been issued therefor.

Summary

This bill would amend the Criminal Procedure Law to designate the ordinance officers of the City of Mount Vernon Police Department as peace officers when they are performing their official duties. By placing these officers within the statutory category of peace officers, the bill would extend to them the legal authority and status associated with that designation under New York law. The bill also makes clear that the new designation does not itself authorize firearm possession. Ordinance officers would still need to have the appropriate license under Penal Law section 400.00 in order to carry, possess, repair, or dispose of a firearm. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would add a new subdivision to Criminal Procedure Law section 2.10, expanding the list of individuals recognized as peace officers in New York State. The practical effect would be to give Mount Vernon ordinance officers peace officer status only while performing their duties, which may affect their enforcement powers, training expectations, and legal protections under state law. It would not change firearm licensing rules, and any firearm authority would remain subject to existing Penal Law licensing requirements.

Sentiment

The available record shows no committee transcript, vote tally, or other recorded debate, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition from the legislative process provided here. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears narrowly tailored and administrative in nature, aimed at clarifying the status of a specific local police department role rather than making a broad policy change. The absence of recorded controversy suggests the bill may have been treated as a local law-enforcement designation issue rather than a contentious statewide reform.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the expansion of peace officer status to a specific municipal category of officers, which can raise questions about scope of authority, training, oversight, and whether similar positions in other municipalities should receive the same designation. A second issue is firearm authority: the bill explicitly preserves existing licensing requirements, indicating sensitivity to concerns that peace officer status might otherwise be read as automatic authorization to carry a firearm. No specific opposing or supporting groups are identified in the materials provided.