Grants court reporters peace officer status

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Jackson

S 4899 would grant peace officer status to court reporters, giving them law-enforcement powers and reshaping courtroom security and procedures.

REFERRED TO CODES

Overview

Bill S 4899, titled “Grants court reporters peace officer status,” is currently referred to the Codes committee. The bill was introduced on November 30, 2025. Legislative action records show the bill was referred to the Codes committee on February 14, 2025 (listed twice in the provided actions). The primary sponsor is Robert Jackson. Related Assembly companion bills are A 5304 and A 3423 (with A 9684 noted as a prior-session related measure).

Purpose and intent

The bill’s stated purpose is to grant peace officer status to court reporters. This would formally designate court reporters as peace officers under the state statutes, potentially affording them law enforcement powers, responsibilities, and related privileges currently reserved for sworn officers.

At this time, the available information does not include the bill’s specific definitions, scope, or criteria for eligibility, nor the precise powers, duties, or limitations that would accompany peace officer status.

Key provisions (availability and specifics not provided)

The exact text of S 4899 is not provided here, so the following provisions cannot be confirmed:

Definitions of “court reporter” for purposes of peace officer status
The extent of law enforcement powers (e.g., authority to carry firearms, make arrests, detain individuals) and the geographic boundaries of such authority
Training, certification, and ongoing professional requirements
Eligibility criteria (employment status, hours, assignment to particular courts)
Rights, privileges, and protections (e.g., vehicle and equipment access, pension/retirement provisions, disciplinary processes)
Funding, implementation timeline, and any phased rollout

Who would be affected

Primary beneficiaries: Court reporters who would receive peace officer status.

Other potential stakeholders: Courts and court security personnel, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and defense attorneys, administrative bodies overseeing court operations, and state or local government payroll and pension systems.

Public impact: Changes in court security dynamics and potential changes to courtroom procedures and safety protocols.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Referred to Codes (as listed). This suggests ongoing consideration within the committee that handles criminal law, public safety, and related statutes.

Introduced: November 30, 2025.

Related legislation: Companion bills in the Assembly include A 5304 and A 3423 (with A 9684 noted as a prior-session measure). The presence of companions typically indicates parallel tracks in both legislative houses.

Next steps for readers

Review the full bill text once available to understand the exact scope, powers, training requirements, oversight mechanisms, and implementation plan.

Monitor committee actions in the Codes committee for amendments, hearings, and votes.

Consider related Assembly companion bills for a broader view of legislative intent and to assess potential differences between the Senate and Assembly versions.

Note: This summary reflects the information provided. Details of specific provisions await the bill’s text and official legislative analyses.

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