BILL NUMBER: S8914
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to taxi and
limousine inspectors
 
PURPOSE:
To clarify and restore the peace officer status and authority of taxi
and limousine inspectors by explicitly including them within the Crimi-
nal Procedure Law, ensuring consistency with similarly situated New York
City special patrol officers.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill amends subdivision 27 of section 2.10 of the Criminal Proce-
dure Law to remove taxi and limousine inspectors from the list of
special patrol officers whose peace officer powers are limited to acting
pursuant to their special duties.
The bill further adds a new subdivision 88 to section 2.10 of the Crimi-
nal Procedure Law, explicitly designating taxi and limousine inspectors
as peace officers whether or not they are acting pursuant to their
special duties.
The bill makes clear that nothing in these provisions authorizes taxi
and limousine inspectors to carry, possess, repair, or dispose of a
firearm unless they are properly licensed pursuant to section 400.00 of
the Penal Law.
The act takes effect immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Taxi and limousine inspectors perform critical public safety and regula-
tory functions throughout New York City, including enforcement actions
that frequently place them in confrontational and potentially dangerous
situations. Despite the nature of their responsibilities, prior statuto-
ry changes removed or limited their peace officer authority, creating
ambiguity and inconsistency in their enforcement powers when compared to
other New York City special patrol officers, such as parking control
specialists and urban park rangers.
This bill corrects that inconsistency by explicitly restoring and clari-
fying the peace officer status of taxi and limousine inspectors under
the Criminal Procedure Law. By doing so, the bill enhances legal clari-
ty, supports effective enforcement, and ensures that these inspectors
can safely and lawfully carry out their duties without unnecessary
uncertainty regarding their authority.
Importantly, the bill does not expand firearm authority. It expressly
maintains existing firearm licensing requirements under the Penal Law,
preserving public safety safeguards while addressing enforcement gaps.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8914: 2.10 criminal procedure law, 2.10(27) criminal procedure law