New York Assembly Bill A10328

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/26
• Refer: 2/20/26
• Report Pass: 5/5/26
• Engrossed: 5/11/26
• Refer: 5/11/26

Caption

Grants peace officer status to security officers employed by St. Joseph's Health Hospital, North Medical Center and Northeast Medical Center when acting pursuant to their special duties on the grounds or premises owned, controlled or administered by any such hospital or any of its subsidiaries.

Impact

The enactment of Bill A10328 would significantly alter the responsibilities and authority of security officers at these healthcare facilities. By providing them with peace officer status, the bill intends to enhance security measures and allow for more effective management of incidents that may require either immediate law enforcement response or transport of individuals who have been taken into custody. This legislative change could lead to a measurable impact on operational protocols within hospital security departments, increasing their ability to respond to incidents effectively.

Summary

Bill A10328 seeks to amend the Criminal Procedure Law in New York State by granting peace officer status to security officers employed at specific healthcare facilities, namely St. Joseph's Health Hospital, North Medical Center, and Northeast Medical Center. This designation would empower these security personnel to act with the authority typically reserved for peace officers within the geographic premises of these hospitals and potentially beyond, should local law enforcement be unavailable for transporting arrested individuals.

Contention

Notably, discussions surrounding the bill may center around the implications of expanding law enforcement authority within non-traditional settings such as hospitals. Advocates argue that enhancing the security capabilities of hospital personnel is necessary to ensure patient and staff safety, especially in areas where local law enforcement may be unable to respond swiftly. Conversely, there could be concerns regarding the potential for overreach and the appropriateness of allowing security officers to have powers typically designated to police, raising questions about training, accountability, and the scope of authority granted by the bill.