Authorizes the city of Rochester to adopt a local law requiring police officers in such city to be residents of Rochester

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sarah Clark and 1 co-sponsor

Authorizes Rochester to enact a local residency rule for city police; the actual requirements would be defined locally, affecting officers and applicants if adopted.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Overview

Bill A 448 would authorize the City of Rochester to adopt a local law requiring police officers in Rochester to be residents of Rochester. This is an enabling measure that empowers the city to establish a residency requirement through its own local law. The bill itself does not mandate the residency rule; rather, it authorizes Rochester to enact such a policy if the city council approves a local law.

What the bill would do

Allow Rochester to adopt a local ordinance or local law that requires police officers employed by the city to reside within Rochester.

Provide the framework for the city to determine specifics of the residency requirement (e.g., which individuals qualify as “police officers” for the purposes of the rule, compliant timelines, and enforcement mechanisms) through a locally adopted law.

Do not specify in-state definitions, enforcement details, carve-outs, or exceptions within the bill itself; these would be defined in the city’s future local legislation.

Provisions and potential implementation

The bill serves as authorization only; any actual residency requirement would be created by Rochester’s own local law.

If enacted locally, details such as definition of residency, eligibility, exceptions (if any), and enforcement would be determined by Rochester's local lawmakers.

Possible alignment with or modification of existing civil service rules, personnel policies, or collective bargaining agreements would be determined at the local level.

Who would be affected

Police officers employed by the City of Rochester, who could be required to reside within the city if Rochester adopts such a local law.

City government and municipal departments involved in police staffing and administration.

Job applicants for Rochester police positions, who would be subject to the residency requirement once a local law is in place.

Procedural context and timeline

Introduced: January 8, 2025.

Current status: Referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations (listed twice in the actions provided).

Sponsors: Primary sponsor Sarah Clark; cosponsor Demond Meeks.

Related bills from prior sessions include S 2960, A 4565, and A 1420, indicating ongoing interest in residency requirements for police officers.

Legislative context

A 448 is an enabling measure that delegates authority to the City of Rochester. If the bill progresses, the city’s residency policy would proceed through local legislative process and potential local law adoption.

As a local-law question, any such ordinance would operate within the framework of state law and could raise issues such as compliance with civil service rules, anti-discrimination laws, and potential collective bargaining considerations.

Next steps

The Committee on Governmental Operations would hold hearings and consider amendments.

If advanced, the bill could move to the full legislature for floor votes, then to the governor for signature or veto.

Any local residency policy would take effect according to the terms of the adopted Rochester local law.

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