New York Senate Bill S08629

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/22/25
• Refer: 12/22/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Requires the secretary of state to develop and mandate training of police department personnel and state police officers on the protocols of the address confidentiality program.

Summary

This bill requires New York to develop and mandate training on the state’s Address Confidentiality Program for both local police departments and the State Police. The training must be created in coordination with the Office of Victim Services, the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, and the Secretary of State, and must cover the program’s purpose and benefits, how to identify and assist eligible victims, confidentiality requirements, and coordination with support agencies. The bill also requires that this training be incorporated into existing police training programs, including basic academy instruction and recurring in-service training every three years. Police departments and the State Police would have to provide confirmation of compliance to the Secretary of State, and the annual report on the Address Confidentiality Program would have to include information showing when training materials were received and when training was completed. The act would take effect 180 days after becoming law.

Impact

The bill amends the Executive Law by adding new training and reporting requirements tied to the Address Confidentiality Program under section 108, and by creating a new section 214-j specifically for State Police training. It would affect the Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Superintendent of State Police, the Secretary of State, and local police departments by imposing mandatory training, compliance tracking, and reporting obligations. The practical effect is to expand law enforcement responsibilities around victim privacy protections and improve implementation of the program for survivors who need to keep their addresses confidential.

Sentiment

The bill’s structure suggests a generally supportive and protective policy approach, focused on helping victims of domestic violence and other eligible participants safely use the Address Confidentiality Program. Because no committee transcript or vote record is provided, there is no recorded debate or formal vote history to indicate opposition or support levels. On its face, the measure appears aimed at strengthening awareness and compliance rather than creating controversy.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are administrative burden, training costs, and implementation logistics for police agencies, since the bill requires recurring training every three years and formal compliance reporting. Another possible issue is whether the mandate should apply uniformly to all police officers and departments, including smaller local agencies with limited training capacity. The bill’s supporters would likely emphasize victim safety, confidentiality, and better coordination among agencies, while any concerns would likely center on workload and enforcement rather than the underlying purpose of the program.