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Bill

S 8274

Designates security officers for the village court of the village of Pleasantville as peace officers

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Designates Pleasantville village court security officers as peace officers, expanding their authority to protect the court, enforce laws, and respond to incidents.

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Bill Summary · S 8274

Summary of S 8274 — Designates security officers for the village court of the village of Pleasantville as peace officers

Overview

S 8274 is a New York Senate bill introduced on May 28, 2025. Its primary purpose is to designate the security officers employed by the village court in the Village of Pleasantville as peace officers. The bill is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (primary sponsor) and has an Assembly companion identified as A 3987. The bill’s status progressed from referral to Codes to a committee discharge to Rules.

Purpose and intent

  • The core aim is to formally designate the village court security officers as peace officers. This change would elevate their status and align their duties with those of sworn peace officers under state law, potentially granting them broader authority to uphold security and enforce laws in connection with the village court and related premises.

Key provisions (inferred from the title)

  • Classification: The bill would designate designated village court security personnel as peace officers.
  • Scope of authority: As peace officers, these officers would typically be authorized to perform law enforcement functions consistent with state statute, which can include maintaining public safety within the court facility, enforcing laws, and potentially making arrests when necessary and legally justified. Any specific scope, limitations, or training requirements would be defined in the bill or applicable statutes, if enacted.
  • Training and standards: The designation as peace officers usually implicates adherence to training, certification, and ongoing professional standards required of peace officers under state law.

Affected entities

  • Village court security officers for the Village of Pleasantville.
  • The Village of Pleasantville community and courthouse operations, including staff, visitors, and participants in court proceedings.
  • Potentially other village agencies or residents who intersect with court security operations.

Procedural timeline

  • May 28, 2025: Introduced and referred to the Senate Codes Committee.
  • June 11, 2025: Committee discharged and committed to Rules (listed twice in the legislative actions excerpt).
  • Status: COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES, indicating the bill is moving toward consideration on the Senate floor (subject to Rules Committee actions and further legislative steps).

Related measures

  • Companion bill: A 3987 ( Assembly). Having a companion often facilitates parallel action in the Assembly.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Security and public safety: Designating security staff as peace officers may enhance court security capabilities and potentially improve response to incidents within court premises.
  • Training and accountability: Implementation would depend on accompanying training, certification, use-of-force policies, and oversight to ensure compliance with state law.
  • Fiscal implications: The fiscal impact (e.g., training costs, firearms/patrol equipment, overtime) is not specified here and would be a consideration in committee deliberations and fiscal notes.
  • Legal alignment: The change would need to be compatible with existing state laws governing peace officers, deputized powers, and court security.

Next steps for readers

  • Monitor subsequent Senate floor actions and any fiscal notes or amendments.
  • Review the Assembly companion (A 3987) for parallel provisions and differences.
  • Consider implications for local court operations and community safety if the bill becomes law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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