BILL NUMBER: S8629
SPONSOR: SALAZAR
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to training of state
police and local police departments on the address confidentiality
program
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would require the implementation of a training program on
local and state police department's obligations and protocols related to
the address confidentiality program.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Executive law § 840 is amended by adding a new subdivision 9
to require the municipal police training council in consultation with
the office of victim services, the office for the prevention of domestic
violence and the department of state to develop training policies and
procedures for police officers on the address confidentiality program.
The training is mandatory for all police officers and will be incorpo-
rated into existing training programs. In addition, the division of
criminal justice services will be required to certify that every police
department in New York State completes this training.
Section 2. Executive law § 108 (8) is amended to require the Secretary
of State to include in their annual report the confirmation from the
division of criminal justice services that each county received the
training materials and when the training was completed by each police
department and confirmation by the superintendent of the state police
that such training was received by all state police officers.
Section 3. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 214-j to
require the superintendent of the state police in consultation with the
office of victim services, the office for the prevention of domestic
violence and the department of state to develop training policies and
procedures for all state police officers on the Address Confidentiality
Program. The training is mandatory and will be incorporated into exist-
ing training programs. The superintendent will provide confirmation of
compliance for all new and veteran state police officers to the secre-
tary of state.
Section 4. Effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York's Address Confidentiality Program provides eligible individuals
with a confidential address alternative, ensuring privacy and safety.
Participants receive an assigned Albany post office box, accepted by
state and local agencies. Private entities may voluntarily recognize
this address. Pursuant to the Address Confidentiality Program, court-re-
lated documents may be submitted to the Secretary of State's Albany
office for confidential forwarding via certified mail to program partic-
ipants' designated addresses.
The program serves victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual
offense, and human trafficking relocating for safety, and their house-
hold members. Additionally, reproductive healthcare providers, employ-
ees, volunteers, patients, and their immediate family members are eligi-
ble.
Requiring a training program on the local and state police department's
obligations and protocols related to the Address Confidentiality Program
(ACP) is crucial for ensuring victim safety, legal compliance, and
consistent implementation. Proper training prevents police officers from
inadvertently compromising a victim's safety by disclosing their confi-
dential address. It also promotes consistent implementation of ACP
protocols across different police departments and jurisdictions, which
is essential for providing victims with the same level of protection
regardless of where they live in New York State. This legislation can
help ensure that police departments prioritize victim safety and provide
effective support to victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual
assault.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred and eightieth day after it
shall have become law

Statutes affected:
S8629: 840 executive law, 108 executive law, 108(8) executive law