BILL NUMBER: S4940
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general municipal law, the county law, and the exec-
utive law, in relation to establishing a youth outreach department with-
in the state police, city, village, town, and district police depart-
ments, and sheriff's departments
 
PURPOSE:
This bill will empower police administrations to proactively develop
programs that can foster positive relationships with youth and contrib-
ute to their maturation.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends the general municipal law to establish the youth
outreach department in all police departments and that the department
shall be created from internal department resources.
Section two amends the county law to establish the youth outreach
department in all police departments and that the department shall be
created from internal department resources.
Section three amends the executive law to establish the youth outreach
department in all police departments and that the department shall be
created from internal department resources.
Section states that the law shall take effect immediately.
 
EXISTING LAW:
N/A.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State has some of the highest juvenile crime rates in the coun-
try. In 2017, there were a total of 581 juvenile arrests for crimes
including larceny, robbery, among others. Historically, police depart-
ments helped provide new pathways of living for youth by starting youth
development programs and sports leagues. These initiatives have helped
at-risk youth stay out of trouble. It is prudent that we formalize
police-youth engagement by mandating police departments in various
levels, statewide, to establish an office or division solely devoted to
youth engagement and empowerment.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S5554 Comrie/ A10106 Cunningham- Passed Senate
2022: S3802
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediate.