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Bill

A 11459

Grants peace officer status to parking and code enforcement officers of the city of Yonkers

2025 Regular Session

Yonkers parking and code enforcement officers are designated as peace officers, with firearm authority limited to license holders under Penal Law 400.00.

REFERRED TO CODES
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Bill Summary · A 11459

Purpose and intent

  • The bill amends New York’s criminal procedure law to grant peace officer status to parking and code enforcement officers employed by the city of Yonkers.
  • The change signals official recognition of these Yonkers officers as having law enforcement powers or duties comparable to peace officers, subject to licensing requirements for firearms.

Key provisions

  • Creation of new subdivision 88 to section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law, which specifies that:
    • Parking and code enforcement officers employed by the city of Yonkers are designated as peace officers.
    • The designation is limited by an important limitation: nothing in the subdivision authorizes these Yonkers officers to carry, possess, repair, or dispose of a firearm unless they hold the appropriate firearm license issued under section 400.00 of the penal law.
  • Effective date: The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Parking and code enforcement officers employed by the city of Yonkers.
  • Indirectly: The Yonkers Police Department, Yonkers city administration, and the broader criminal justice system (e.g., courts, prosecutors) in Yonkers, which may interact with these officers in enforcement or investigative contexts.
  • Firearm licensing framework: Officers remain subject to the state firearm licensing regime (Penal Law § 400.00) for carrying firearms.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction date: May 19, 2026.
  • Action: Referred to the Committee on Codes in the New York Assembly.
  • Effective date: Immediate once enacted (no separate phase-in period).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Authority and duties: The bill clarifies and formalizes a peace officer designation for Yonkers’ parking and code enforcement officers, which could affect their authority to enforce laws, make arrests, or participate in controlled operations consistent with peace officer status.
  • Firearm restrictions: The bill explicitly limits firearm-related authority by tying possession or use of firearms to individuals who hold the appropriate Penal Law firearm license, aligning with existing licensing requirements.
  • Training and oversight: If designated as peace officers, these Yonkers officers may become subject to peace officer training standards, internal oversight, and potential differences in procedural obligations (e.g., use-of-force policies) relative to non-peace officer code enforcement staff.
  • Local impact: The change is specific to Yonkers; it does not expand peace officer status to similar positions in other municipalities unless enacted for them separately.

Note: The bill is a straightforward statutory update with a single substantive addition and an explicit firearm limitation, and it becomes effective immediately upon enactment.

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

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