BILL NUMBER: S111
SPONSOR: GALLIVAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the civil rights law, in relation to the confidentiality
of personnel records of police officers, firefighters, correction offi-
cers and probation officers
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Restores section 50-a to the civil rights law pertaining to the confi-
dentiality of personnel records.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: adds section 50-a to the civil rights law to consider person-
nel records confidential and not subject to inspection or review with
the consent of the officer in question except as mandated by the court
Section 2: provides the effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The repeal of section 50-a of the Civil Rights Law took away due process
of law for law enforcement and first responders by making all of their
personnel records subject to FOIL, including all complaints, whether
they have merit or not. Previously, the release of personnel records
were subject to court order, which allowed for an independent review of
the claims and ensure that frivolous or unfounded complaints are not
released.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.67/A.4589 Referred to codes/Referred to governmental oper-
ations
2021-22: S.7298/A.6599 Referred to codes/Referred to governmental oper-
ations
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None to the state
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately