Prohibits the disclosure of the personal information of any active or former New York state, New York city or local municipal emergency first responder, judges or prosecutors
Impact
Upon enactment, A11118 would amend existing laws within the Public Officers Law, Penal Law, and Civil Rights Law to provide these protections. Violators of the new provisions would face potential criminal charges, with unlawful disclosures considered a class A misdemeanor or a class E felony depending on the severity of the disclosure. Furthermore, the bill allows affected individuals to pursue civil actions against those who violate their privacy rights, opening avenues for personal recourse and reinforcing the consequences of breaching these protections. This legal framework not only signifies a recognition of their vulnerabilities but also establishes a precedent for stronger privacy protections for public officials.
Summary
Bill A11118 seeks to enhance the privacy rights of certain public officials, specifically active or former emergency first responders, judges, and prosecutors in New York. The bill prohibits the disclosure of their home addresses, personal telephone numbers, email addresses, and social media handles. The introduction of this bill acknowledges the increasing concerns regarding the safety and harassment of individuals in these roles, especially given their essential work in maintaining public safety and upholding the law. With this legislation, the state aims to create a safer working environment for these officials by limiting access to personal information that could be misused.
Contention
While the bill has garnered support for its intent to safeguard public officials, it may draw concerns over enforcement and potential misuse of such legal protections. Opponents of the bill might argue that extended privacy measures could hinder public transparency or accountability, particularly when it relates to public servants engaged in law enforcement. Balancing the need for privacy against the public's right to know could pose a significant challenge as the bill progresses through the legislative process.
Current_status
A11118 has been introduced in the Assembly and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations for further consideration. As the legislative process proceeds, discussions may evolve, focusing on defining the parameters of 'emergency first responders' and addressing feedback from community stakeholders.
Same As
Prohibits the disclosure of the home address, personal telephone numbers, personal email addresses or personal social media handles of any active or former New York state, New York city or local municipal emergency first responder, a judge of any court of law of this state, or a New York state, county or municipal prosecutor or the spouse or child thereof; relates to criminal penalties; permits civil action.
Prohibits the disclosure of the home address, personal telephone numbers, personal email addresses or personal social media handles of any active or former New York state, New York city or local municipal emergency first responder, a judge of any court of law of this state, or a New York state, county or municipal prosecutor or the spouse or child thereof; relates to criminal penalties; permits civil action.
Authorizes the chief executive of a responding law enforcement agency to designate an area within a municipality as an active recovery zone in response to certain natural or man-made disasters or emergencies; limits access to such zones to residents and other affected persons, first responders, and certain authorized personnel; imposes a penalty of a class B misdemeanor for knowing unauthorized access to such zones; makes related provisions.
Establishes the crime of interference with emergency first responders; creates a fifteen foot buffer zone around emergency first responders engaged in the performance of their official duties.
Establishes the crime of interference with emergency first responders; creates a fifteen foot buffer zone around emergency first responders engaged in the performance of their official duties.
Authorizes the city of New York to sell certain lands now or formerly under the waters of Whale Creek otherwise known as Wyckoff Creek, and formerly a tributary of Newtown Creek.
Authorizes the city of New York to sell certain lands now or formerly under the waters of Whale Creek otherwise known as Wyckoff Creek, and formerly a tributary of Newtown Creek.
Extends certain provisions relating to the sale of bonds and notes of the city of New York, the issuance of bonds or notes with variable rates of interest, interest rate exchange agreements of the city of New York, the refunding of bonds, and the down payment for projects financed by bonds; extends the New York state financial emergency act for the city of New York; makes further amendments relating to the effectiveness thereof.