BILL NUMBER:  S6327

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to designating
members of the security force at Saratoga Hospital as peace officers

 PURPOSE :

To grant members of the security force at Saratoga Hospital with the
required training and course of instruction, peace officer powers
subject to certain conditions.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 amends Section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law by
renumbering and adding a new subdivision 85. Peace officer status is
limited to the security force within and directly adjacent to the
hospital buildings on the medical campus at 211 Church Street,
Saratoga Springs, New York. These Peace officers would have the
following powers as described in:

Section 9.41 of the mental hygiene law, to temporarily detain or take
into custody any person who is mentally ill and is conducting himself
or herself in a manner which is likely to result in serious harm to
the person or others
              

Section 2.20, subdivision 1 (a), (b) and (d) of the criminal procedure
law and with probable cause or actual knowledge to believe that an
individual has committed an offense, make warrantless arrests, use
physical and deadly physical force in making an arrest or preventing
an escape and to issue appearance tickets

Section 2.20, subdivision 1 (c), (h) and (i) of the criminal procedure
law, to carry out warrantless searches, to possess and take custody of
firearms not owned by the peace officer, for the purpose of disposing,
guarding, or any other lawful purpose and any other power authorized
to exercise by special or local law or charter.

 JUSTIFICATION :

By granting the security officers of Saratoga Hospital peace officer
status, public safety is improved within the hospital as well as the
grounds of the medical campus and in turn, surrounding neighborhoods.

Security guards at Kaleida Health and Strong Memorial Hospital have
been granted peace officer status in the last few years and Saratoga
Hospital feels it very important for their officers to have this
status as well. Additionally, the Hospital is the largest healthcare
provider in the immediate area and is an integral part of the critical
infrastructure. As such it requires the highest level of protection in
order to maintain the vision and goals consistent with the NYS
Homeland Security Strategy. Saratoga Hospital desires this proactive
measure before serious harm takes place at the Hospital.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately