BILL NUMBER: S4767
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law and the mental hygiene law, in
relation to training police officers on how to respond to situations
involving individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other develop-
mental disabilities
 
PURPOSE:
To expressly mandate that any police training for handling and respond-
ing to matters involving those with autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities be accompanied by meaningful training in the
appropriate use of force and de-escalation techniques when interacting
with such individuals.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The bill amends the relevant provisions of the Executive and Mental
Hygiene Law to specifically mandate training on the appropriate use of
force and de-escalation techniques when interacting with individuals
with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Police officers in New York are required to receive training on the
handling of emergency situations involving individuals with autism spec-
trum disorder and other developmental disabilities, but there have been
situations when they have misinterpreted the behaviors of such individ-
uals as criminal in nature. These situations often result in the use of
excessive force by law enforcement. The purpose of this legislation is
to ensure that law enforcement agencies provide training to new and
veteran police officers on the appropriate use of force with respect to
such individuals, as well as training on appropriate techniques for
deescalating such encounters.
 
FISCAL IMPACT:
To be determined.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: Referred to Codes
2023-24: Passed Senate
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

Statutes affected:
S4767: 13.43 mental hygiene law