New York Senate Bill S05943

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/25
• Refer: 3/4/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Requires every sheriff, county or city commissioner of correction and head of every state, county, or local police department to report instances and occurrences of hate crimes; requires the division to promulgate rules and regulations for such reporting.

Summary

This bill, known as the “Hate Crime Accountability and Transparency Enforcement (HATE) Reporting Act,” would require every sheriff, county or city commissioner of correction, and head of every state, county, or local police department to report to the Division of Criminal Justice Services any instance where a hate crime is reported or investigated. The reporting must be done in a manner and timeframe set by the division, and the data would be structured so it can be shared with the FBI in a way consistent with the National Incident-Based Reporting System. The bill also directs the division to adopt rules and regulations to implement the new reporting requirement. It would take effect on January 1, 2026. In practical terms, the measure creates a statewide reporting framework for hate crime incidents and investigations, expanding administrative obligations for law enforcement agencies and correctional officials while improving the state’s ability to compile and transmit hate crime data.

Impact

The bill amends the New York Executive Law by adding a new section 837-z, creating a mandatory hate-crime reporting duty for sheriffs, police department heads, and correctional commissioners at the state, county, and local levels. It would require these agencies to report hate crime incidents and investigations to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, which in turn would be responsible for setting reporting procedures and rules. The measure affects law enforcement and correctional agencies directly, and it is intended to improve state and federal hate crime data collection and consistency with FBI reporting standards.

Sentiment

The available record shows no committee transcript, vote tally, or recorded floor debate, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition in the provided materials. Based on the bill’s purpose and structure, it appears to be framed as a transparency and accountability measure rather than a punitive change, suggesting a policy rationale focused on data collection and public reporting. The absence of recorded votes or discussion prevents a reliable assessment of broader legislative sentiment.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of debate, if raised, would likely involve the administrative burden on local law enforcement and correctional agencies, the scope of what must be reported, the timing and format of reporting, and how the Division of Criminal Justice Services would implement and enforce the new requirements. However, none of these concerns are attributed to any particular legislator, agency, or stakeholder in the record provided.