New York Senate Bill S07376

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/11/25
• Refer: 4/11/25

Caption

Authorizes Karol Hughes, a part-time police officer, with the town/village of East Rochester police department to take the civil service examination and be eligible for appointment as a full time police officer for the town/village of East Rochester.

Summary

This bill is a narrow, person-specific civil service measure that authorizes Karol Hughes, a continuously employed part-time police officer for the town/village of East Rochester in Monroe County, to take the competitive civil service examination for the position of police officer. It overrides the usual age-related eligibility limits in section 58 of the civil service law and any other conflicting law, solely for this individual. If Hughes scores sufficiently on the exam, the bill allows her to be placed on the eligible list for appointment as a full-time police officer with the East Rochester police department. The bill also states that she must otherwise meet the merit and fitness requirements that apply to full-time police officers, and it takes effect immediately.

Impact

The bill creates a one-time exception to New York Civil Service Law section 58, which governs eligibility requirements for police officer examinations, including age limits. Its practical effect is to permit one named part-time officer to compete for a full-time position despite not meeting the standard statutory age criteria, while leaving the broader civil service framework intact for everyone else. The measure affects the town/village of East Rochester police department and the appointment process for that specific position.

Sentiment

The available record suggests the bill was introduced as a targeted personnel measure rather than a controversial policy change, and there is no transcript or vote record showing opposition or debate. The absence of committee discussion and voting history indicates the bill likely proceeded as a routine local exemption. Overall sentiment appears neutral to supportive, with the bill framed as a limited accommodation for a long-serving part-time officer.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the bill’s departure from the general civil service age requirements, since it creates an individualized exemption from a rule that normally applies uniformly to police officer candidates. Supporters would likely view this as a fairness or retention measure for an existing employee, while any critics might object to special legislation for a single person or to bypassing standard competitive eligibility rules. No specific opposition is documented in the provided materials.