New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A11118

Introduced
4/24/26  

Caption

Prohibits the disclosure of the home address, personal telephone numbers, personal email addresses or personal social media handles of any active or former New York state, New York city or local municipal emergency first responder, a judge of any court of law of this state, or a New York state, county or municipal prosecutor or the spouse or child thereof; relates to criminal penalties; permits civil action.

Impact

Upon enactment, A11118 would amend existing laws within the Public Officers Law, Penal Law, and Civil Rights Law to provide these protections. Violators of the new provisions would face potential criminal charges, with unlawful disclosures considered a class A misdemeanor or a class E felony depending on the severity of the disclosure. Furthermore, the bill allows affected individuals to pursue civil actions against those who violate their privacy rights, opening avenues for personal recourse and reinforcing the consequences of breaching these protections. This legal framework not only signifies a recognition of their vulnerabilities but also establishes a precedent for stronger privacy protections for public officials.

Summary

Bill A11118 seeks to enhance the privacy rights of certain public officials, specifically active or former emergency first responders, judges, and prosecutors in New York. The bill prohibits the disclosure of their home addresses, personal telephone numbers, email addresses, and social media handles. The introduction of this bill acknowledges the increasing concerns regarding the safety and harassment of individuals in these roles, especially given their essential work in maintaining public safety and upholding the law. With this legislation, the state aims to create a safer working environment for these officials by limiting access to personal information that could be misused.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its intent to safeguard public officials, it may draw concerns over enforcement and potential misuse of such legal protections. Opponents of the bill might argue that extended privacy measures could hinder public transparency or accountability, particularly when it relates to public servants engaged in law enforcement. Balancing the need for privacy against the public's right to know could pose a significant challenge as the bill progresses through the legislative process.

Current_status

A11118 has been introduced in the Assembly and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations for further consideration. As the legislative process proceeds, discussions may evolve, focusing on defining the parameters of 'emergency first responders' and addressing feedback from community stakeholders.

Companion Bills

NY S09975

Same As Prohibits the disclosure of the home address, personal telephone numbers, personal email addresses or personal social media handles of any active or former New York state, New York city or local municipal emergency first responder, a judge of any court of law of this state, or a New York state, county or municipal prosecutor or the spouse or child thereof; relates to criminal penalties; permits civil action.

Previously Filed As

NY S09975

Prohibits the disclosure of the home address, personal telephone numbers, personal email addresses or personal social media handles of any active or former New York state, New York city or local municipal emergency first responder, a judge of any court of law of this state, or a New York state, county or municipal prosecutor or the spouse or child thereof; relates to criminal penalties; permits civil action.

NY S08366

Permits family leave benefits related to the active service of a spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent of the employee in the New York national guard during a declared state of emergency or other ordered active state service.

NY A03841

Prohibits the disclosure and publication of the home address or unpublished home telephone number of any active or retired judge or prosecutor.

NY S389

Makes publishing on Internet home address or unpublished telephone number of judges, prosecutors and certain court personnel a crime of the fourth degree under certain circumstances.

NY A10915

Authorizes the chief executive of a responding law enforcement agency to designate an area within a municipality as an active recovery zone in response to certain natural or man-made disasters or emergencies; limits access to such zones to residents and other affected persons, first responders, and certain authorized personnel; imposes a penalty of a class B misdemeanor for knowing unauthorized access to such zones; makes related provisions.

NY A10133

Regulates personal loans made by a lender to a resident of or person physically located in the state of New York; exempts certain lenders.

NY SB1235

Personal property; prohibiting municipality, county, and state from seizing certain personal property. Emergency.

NY S01086

Enacts the empire state licensing act to provide all New Yorkers with access to professional, occupational, commercial, or business licenses, permits, certificates, or related registrations regardless of an applicant's citizenship or immigration status, or lack thereof.

NY S05539

Requires schools safety plans to include a cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the use of appropriate personnel and measures to respond to incidents involving any individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or similar life-threatening emergency on any school site owned or operated by a school or at a location of a school sponsored event.

NY A00785

Requires schools safety plans to include a cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the use of appropriate personnel and measures to respond to incidents involving any individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or similar life-threatening emergency on any school site owned or operated by a school or at a location of a school sponsored event.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.