BILL NUMBER: S8639
SPONSOR: MARTINEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the no fare
program for transportation on the Long Island Rail Road for certain
detective investigators or rackets investigators
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this legislation is to include local District Attorney
Detective Investigators and Rackets Investigators in the MTA Long Island
Railroad no-fare program to provide additional security for passengers
in the event of critical incidents.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of this bill amends subdivision 14 of section 1266 of the
Public Authorities law to include "detective investigators" and "rackets
investigators" employed by a district attorney located in Nassau County,
Suffolk County or the City of New York in the MTA Long Island Railroad
no-fare program.
Section two of this bill provides that this act shall take effect imme-
diately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The free ride program enacted into law has provided an extra amount of
security for the commuters of the Long Island Railroad for over 20
years. The intent of the original legislation was to encourage police
officers to use the railroad as a method of transportation so that in
the event of a critical incident, more officers would be immediately
available for the protection of the commuters. The original law included
several police agencies so there would be a greater number of officers
available. Amending this law to add local District Attorney's Detective
and Rackets Investigators would provide an additional layer of security.
These highly skilled investigators are all Police Officers, who typical-
ly have more than 20 years of law enforcement experience. They work
independently or alongside members of the NYPD, other local jurisdiction
Police Departments, State Police, FBI, and Homeland Security. Their vast
experience and training would be a great asset in providing even more
security and assisting in critical incidents that may occur.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8639: 1266 public authorities law, 1266(14) public authorities law