NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1682
SPONSOR: Shimsky TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring that certain
New York state police vehicles be equipped with a dashboard camera
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To enhance police officer safety and increase community trust through
transparency,
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends the Executive Law by adding a new section
212-a to require each motor vehicle operated by the state police in
connection with the patrol of the state's roadways, the prevention of
investigation and crimes, or the preparation for and response to emer-
gencies and disasters be equipped with a dashboard camera.
Section 2 is the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
New York remains one of only five states where the primary law enforce-
ment agency is not equipped with dashboard cameras, according to a
nationwide Associated Press survey. While use of dashboard cameras is
common, most state law enforcement agencies do not have body cameras.
Law enforcement experts strongly support the use of police cameras,
arguing that the technology can increase transparency and benefit both
officers and citizens. Body camera footage has been used in other states
to clear police officers' accused of wrongdoing, as an effective inves-
tigative tool, and for training purposes to better prepare police offi-
cers for interactions with citizens. This legislation will enhance
police officer safety and increase community trust through transparency.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-20: A8497 referred to governmental operations
2021-22: A4045 referred to governmental operations
2023-24: A5172 referred to governmental operations
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date upon which it shall have become law. Effective immediately the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
to be made and completed on or before such date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
1682
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SHIMSKY -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring that certain
New York state police vehicles be equipped with a dashboard camera
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 212-a
2 to read as follows:
3 § 212-a. Mandatory equipment. Each motor vehicle operated by the state
4 police in connection with the patrol of the state's roadways, the
5 prevention and investigation of crimes, or the preparation for and
6 response to emergencies and disasters shall be equipped with a dashboard
7 camera.
8 § 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
9 ing the date upon which it shall have become a law. Effective immediate-
10 ly the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation
11 necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are
12 authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02845-01-5
