Requires law enforcement agencies to store physical or other evidence it maintains within fireproof containers or within a fireproof storage area; requires law enforcement agencies to document and photograph evidence before it is stored in a fireproof container or storage area; requires that such documents and photographs be stored in a different location.
STATE OF NEW YORK
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5862
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 3, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. GOUNARDES -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to the storage of
evidence by law enforcement agencies
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 837-y
2 to read as follows:
3 § 837-y. Law enforcement agencies; storage of evidence. 1. For
4 purposes of this section, "law enforcement agency" means a police agency
5 or department of the state or any political subdivision thereof, includ-
6 ing authorities or agencies maintaining police forces of individuals
7 defined as police officers in section 1.20 of the criminal procedure
8 law, or a sheriff's department.
9 2. Every law enforcement agency shall be required to keep all physical
10 or other evidence it maintains within a fireproof container or within a
11 fireproof storage area. Such container or storage area shall be located
12 within a state-of-the-art facility utilizing modern and advanced tech-
13 nology.
14 3. Prior to the storage of evidence within a fireproof container or
15 storage area as required pursuant to subdivision two of this section,
16 every law enforcement agency shall be required to photograph and docu-
17 ment such evidence and to store such photographs and documentation in a
18 separate location which is different from the location in which the
19 evidence is being stored in a fireproof container or storage area.
20 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04672-01-5
