Authorizes Janay Gasparini, a part-time police officer, with the town of New Paltz police department to take the civil service examination

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michelle Hinchey

Allows a part-time officer to take the civil service exam for a full-time police officer and, if scoring qualifying, be placed on the eligible list for appointment.

RETURNED TO SENATE

Summary of Bill S. 9250 (2025-2026) – New York

Purpose and intent

This bill authorizes Janay M. Gasparini, a part-time police officer employed by the Town of New Paltz, Ulster County, to take the competitive civil service examination for the position of police officer and, contingent on a passing score, to be placed on the eligible list for appointment as a full-time police officer with the Town of New Paltz Police Department.

The action is framed as an exception to standard civil service requirements, allowing Gasparini to pursue a full-time appointment despite potential age or other eligibility constraints otherwise imposed by existing civil service provisions.

Key provisions and changes

Eligibility to take the exam

Gasparini is expressly permitted to take the competitive civil service examination for the position of police officer, notwithstanding sections of the Civil Service Law that might restrict eligibility (notably age or other requirements under section 58 and paragraph (a) of subdivision 1).

Placement on the eligible list

Following a successful examination score, Gasparini would be eligible to be placed on the eligible list for appointment as a full-time police officer with the Town of New Paltz Police Department.

Merit and fitness standards

Gasparini would still be subject to the merit and fitness provisions of the Civil Service Law applicable to full-time police officers. In other words, while the bill provides an eligibility pathway, the standard vetting and qualifications applicable to full-time officers remain in force.

Effective date

The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who is affected

Primary beneficiary: Janay M. Gasparini, a part-time officer in the Town of New Paltz, who would be allowed to compete for and potentially secure a full-time police officer position.

Institution affected: Town of New Paltz Police Department, along with its civil service and personnel processes, which would recognize the eligible-list placement for a full-time role if Gasparini’s exam score meets the required threshold.

Procedural and timeline notes

Legislative path: Introduced in the Senate, referred to the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions, with subsequent actions indicating passage in both chambers and a home-rule request process (consistent with local government authorization).

Timeline milestones reflected in the action history:

Referred to Civil Service and Pensions (Feb 18, 2026)
Passed Senate and delivered to Assembly (June 2026)
Passed Assembly and returned to Senate (June 2026)
Substituted and ordered to third reading/calendars in June 2026
Act takes effect immediately upon enactment

Practical impact

The bill creates a one-off eligibility exception for Gasparini to pursue a full-time police officer position through the standard civil service examination process.

It preserves the integrity of merit-based hiring by requiring Gasparini to meet merit and fitness standards for full-time officers, even as she is granted eligibility to participate in the examination.

If Gasparini earns a qualifying score, she could be appointed as a full-time officer, subject to the town’s hiring and civil service procedures.

Note: The bill does not broadly alter age or eligibility criteria for all prospective officers; it specifically provides an exception for one individual, tied to her ongoing employment with the town.