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Bill

S 7385

Grants peace officer status to certain employees of the department of public safety of the Syracuse city school district

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rachel May and 1 co-sponsor

Designates select Syracuse City School District DPS staff as peace officers, with defined training and oversight to boost on-site school safety.

REFERRED TO CODES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 7385

Summary of Senate Bill S 7385

Overview

Senate Bill S 7385, introduced on April 11, 2025, and currently referred to the Codes Committee, would grant peace officer status to certain employees of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) of the Syracuse City School District. The bill has a primary sponsor of Rachel May and a cosponsor of Christopher Ryan. A companion Assembly bill is listed as A 7337.

What the bill would do

  • The core aim is to designate select employees within the Syracuse City School District’s Department of Public Safety as peace officers.
  • The bill would establish, through its text, the scope of authority, eligibility criteria, training requirements, and oversight provisions applicable to those designated as peace officers.
  • As with similar proposals, the designation would typically align with state law governing peace officer status, including responsibilities related to enforcing laws and maintaining safety on school property. The exact powers, duties, and regulatory framework would be defined in the bill’s language and aligned with applicable statutes and regulations.

Note: The specific powers (e.g., arrest authority, use-of-force standards, firearms eligibility) and detailed standards are not provided in the summary available here. The enacted text would spell out the precise authority and limitations.

Affected parties

  • Employees of the Syracuse City School District Department of Public Safety who meet the bill’s eligibility criteria.
  • The Syracuse City School District and its schools, facilities, and events where DPS personnel operate.
  • Local law enforcement and oversight agencies that interact with school-based safety personnel.
  • Budget and personnel systems that support DPS operations, subject to any cost implications of enhanced duties or training.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced and referred to the Codes Committee on April 11, 2025.
  • The bill’s progression depends on action by the Codes Committee (and eventual floor consideration) in the Senate.
  • A companion bill exists in the Assembly, listed as A 7337, indicating parallel consideration in the Assembly chamber.

Related legislation

  • Companion Assembly bill: A 7337 (listed as a companion to S 7385).

Potential implications and considerations

  • Public safety and school security: If enacted, the designation could affect on-site safety protocols, response capabilities, and coordination with district administration and local police.
  • Training and accountability: The bill would likely require specified training, certification, and oversight to ensure consistent standards for peace officers.
  • Fiscal impact: Potential costs for training, equipment, and compensation, balanced against anticipated safety benefits and operational changes.

For a complete understanding, the bill text will detail the exact powers, training requirements, scope of authority, and any fiscal provisions.

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

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