BILL NUMBER: S4387
SPONSOR: ASHBY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to designating
the animal control officer in the town of Sand Lake as a peace officer
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Designating the animal control officer in the town of Sand Lake as a
peace officer.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the Criminal Procedure law to authorize the town board
of the Town of Sand Lake to designate the animal control officer as a
peace officer, allowing them to enforce animal cruelty provisions of
Article 26 of the Agriculture and Markets law. The animal control offi-
cer is further prohibited from carrying firearms unless appropriately
licensed pursuant to Section 400.00 of the Penal law.
Section 2 sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Town of Sand Lake in Rensselaer County has requested the ability to
designate their animal control officer as a peace officer. This would
allow them to enforce provisions of the Agriculture and Markets law
relating to animal cruelty. The bill would not allow the animal control
officer in Sand Lake to carry a firearm, unless appropriately licensed.
This legislation will help the town better respond to and handle inci-
dents of animal cruelty, while also relieving the administrative burden
on local law enforcement.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2022: A.7938/S.2563 - Passed Assembly; died in Senate codes.
2021: A.7938/S.2563 - Passed Assembly; died in Senate rules.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S4387: 2.10 criminal procedure law