Legislation

* § 2832-a. Emergency department security. 1. A general hospital
located in a city or county with a population of one million or more
shall be required to have at least one off-duty law enforcement officer
or trained security personnel be present at all times in the emergency
department, subject to emergent circumstance in any hospital that
requires an adjustment in personnel.

2. A general hospital located in a city or county with a population
less than one million shall be required to have at least one off-duty
law enforcement officer or trained security personnel on premises at all
times in a manner that prioritizes physical presence near, or within
close proximity to, the emergency department of such hospital with
direct responsibility to the emergency department. This shall not apply
to hospitals designated as critical access hospitals, sole community
hospitals, or rural emergency hospitals. However, if any such hospital
experiences increased rates of violence or abuse of emergency department
personnel, by an amount to be determined by the commissioner, evidenced
by internal reporting pursuant to the violence prevention program or
reports to law enforcement the commissioner shall work with the critical
access hospital, sole community hospital, or rural emergency hospital to
come into compliance with the requirement, to have at least one off-duty
law enforcement officer or trained security personnel on premises at all
times in a manner that prioritizes physical presence near, or within
close proximity to, the emergency department of such hospital with
direct responsibility to the emergency department, over a reasonable
period of time.

* NB Effective September 18, 2026