BILL NUMBER: S9548A
SPONSOR: SALAZAR
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general municipal law and the public officers law,
in relation to removing the citizenship requirement for police officers
and firefighters
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to amend municipal law and the public offi-
cer law to allow individuals who are legally authorized to work in the
United States under federal law. To become police officers, fire fight-
ers or hold any position under the public officer law.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 states that this act shall be known and may be cited as the
"We too serve NY act".
§ 2. Amends the General Municipal Law by adding a new section § 209-h
which authorizes municipalities to remove citizenship requirements from
the qualifications of police officers and firefighters.
§ 3. Amends the Public Officers Law, section 3 (1) to provide that in
addition to citizenship, one can also hold civil office if they are
authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
§ 4. Amends the Public Officers Law, section 3-b (1) to provide that
municipalities or municipal officials in appointing certain officer, in
addition to appointing people who are citizens may also appoint individ-
uals who legally authorized to work in the United States under federal
law.
§ 5. Establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Municipalities are facing a workforce shortage in many public serving
jobs. Under current law, Citizenship is a requirement for a person to
serve as a public officer, the intent of this bill is to expand the
opportunity to New Yorkers who are legally authorized to work in the
United States under federal law. It would allow the opportunity to
people who want to serve in this public safety roles.
 
AMENDED BILL:
The "A" print of the bill added that the act shall be known and may be
cited as the, "We too serve NY act".
 
RACIAL JUSTICE IMPACT
The intent of this bill is to further close the gap on racial justice by
increasing the visibility and representation of diverse communities and
languages in the public serving workforce by creating a labor force that
better reflects the population they serve.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPACT
Not known. This bill does not require appropriation of funds.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S9548: 3 public officers law, 3(1) public officers law, 3-b public officers law, 3-b(1) public officers law
S9548A: 3 public officers law, 3(1) public officers law, 3-b public officers law, 3-b(1) public officers law