Relates to persons designated as peace officers; designates members of the security force employed by Catholic Health Network and Kaleida Health as peace officers.
Summary
This bill amends New York’s Criminal Procedure Law to add a new category of peace officers. Specifically, it designates members of the security force employed by Catholic Health Network and Kaleida Health as peace officers, but only for those located outside the medical campus covered by an existing peace officer provision. The bill is narrowly tailored to these two health systems and their security personnel.
The designation would give these security officers the legal status of peace officers under state law, which can expand their authority in connection with their duties. At the same time, the bill includes an explicit limitation that it does not authorize them to carry, possess, repair, or dispose of a firearm unless they have the proper license under Penal Law section 400.00, and it does not authorize firearm possession except while on duty. The act would take effect 180 days after becoming law.
Impact
The bill would amend section 2.10 of the Criminal Procedure Law by adding subdivision 83-a, thereby expanding the list of individuals recognized as peace officers in New York. Its practical effect would be to confer peace officer status on certain private hospital security personnel at Catholic Health Network and Kaleida Health, potentially affecting their enforcement-related powers and responsibilities under state law. The bill does not broadly alter firearm licensing rules, but it preserves existing Penal Law requirements and limits firearm authority to on-duty circumstances and proper licensure.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no documented debate or formal vote-based sentiment to assess. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears administrative and targeted, aimed at recognizing specific hospital security forces rather than making a broad policy change. The absence of recorded opposition or support in the provided materials means sentiment cannot be reliably characterized beyond the bill’s narrow, practical purpose.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the expansion of peace officer status to private health system security personnel, which may raise questions about the scope of authority granted to non-police actors and whether similar treatment should be extended to other institutions. Another possible issue is firearm-related authority, although the bill expressly limits that authority and preserves licensing requirements. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the provided materials, so any contention is inferred from the subject matter rather than documented discussion.