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NY S04637

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/10/2025

Primary Sponsor

Alexis Weik

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2025-2026 General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Establishes that personnel records used to evaluate performance, promotion, or continued employment for police officers, firefighters, correction officers, and certain peace officers are confidential and not subject to public inspection without the officer's written consent or a court order

  • Requires judges to hold a hearing before issuing a court order for records disclosure, with interested parties given the opportunity to be heard and a clear showing of facts required to justify the request

  • Mandates that judges review personnel records in camera (privately) and release only portions determined to be relevant and material to the case at hand

  • Exempts district attorneys, the attorney general, county/corporation/town/village attorneys, grand juries, and government agencies acting in their official functions from the confidentiality restrictions

  • Repeals multiple provisions of the public officers law (sections 86, 87, and 89) that were added when the original Section 50-a was repealed in 2020, effectively restoring protections similar to the former law

Legislative Description

Relates to the disclosure of law enforcement personnel records; provides that law enforcement personnel records shall be considered confidential and not subject to inspection or review without the express written consent of such law enforcement officers except as mandated by lawful court order.

Last Action

REFERRED TO CODES

1/7/2026

Committee Referrals

Codes2/10/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available