Designates uniformed officers of the fire marshal's office of the town of Huntington as peace officers.
Summary
This bill amends the New York Criminal Procedure Law to add uniformed members of the fire marshal’s office in the Town of Huntington to the list of designated peace officers. The bill places Huntington alongside the Towns of Southampton and Riverhead, which are already included in the same statutory subdivision. The designation applies only when these officers are acting pursuant to their special duties in matters involving fires, fire extinguishment, and fire perils.
The bill also preserves existing limits on firearm authority. It states that nothing in the subdivision authorizes these officers to carry, possess, repair, or dispose of a firearm unless they have the appropriate license under Penal Law section 400.00. The act would take effect immediately upon enactment.
Impact
The bill would directly amend Criminal Procedure Law section 2.10, subdivision 63, expanding the category of peace officers to include uniformed fire marshal personnel in Huntington. As a result, those officers would gain the legal status and related enforcement powers associated with peace officer designation, but only within the scope of their fire-related duties. The bill does not broadly alter firearm licensing law or general police authority, and it leaves intact the requirement that any firearm-related activity be separately licensed under the Penal Law.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be a narrow, administrative public-safety bill with a generally neutral or supportive posture. Its purpose is limited to aligning Huntington’s fire marshal office with similar offices already covered by state law. There is no evidence in the available record of organized opposition or controversy.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the expansion of peace officer status, which can raise questions about enforcement authority, training, and oversight. However, the bill is tightly limited to uniformed fire marshal officers acting in their special duties, and it expressly does not grant independent firearm privileges without a proper license. Any concern would likely center on whether Huntington’s fire marshal personnel should receive the same statutory treatment as those in Southampton and Riverhead, rather than on broader criminal justice policy.
Designates all chief fire marshals, assistant chief fire marshals, fire marshal IIs and fire marshal Is employed by the county of Suffolk or a town or village therein as peace officers.
Relates to persons designated as peace officers; designates members of the security force employed by Catholic Health Network and Kaleida Health as peace officers.