BILL NUMBER: S9301
SPONSOR: MARTINEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in
relation to establishing the New York state park police
 
PURPOSE:
To clarify in statute that the New York State Park Police operates as an
independent law enforcement agency under the supervision of the Commis-
sioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, while preserving
the ability to collaborate and enter into a memorandum of understanding
with the Division of State Police and other law enforcement agencies.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends section 13.17 of the parks, recreation and historic
preservation law by adding a new subdivision to affirm the independent
operation of the New York State Park Police and to permit coordination
and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, provided such
corporation does not diminish the independent operational authority of
the Park Police.
Section 2: Is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The New York State Park Police is a distinct and specialized law
enforcement agency, enhancing public safety across our state parks,
historic sites, parkways, and recreational facilities. Officers operate
within diverse environments, from densely populated urban parks and
ocean beaches to vast natural areas and rugged terrain. In fulfilling
their mission, they protect visitors, enforce park regulations, conduct
investigations, respond to emergencies, and support public safety oper-
ations at some of the largest assemblies in the nation.
In 2019 and 2022, executive memorandums shifted the operational command
structure of the Park Police by transferring day-to-day operational
control to the Division of State Police. Although the Park Police
continued to exist statutorily as a separate force, these memorandums
created uncertainty regarding chain of command, operational independ-
ence, recruitment, training, and long-term workforce stability.
This legislation restores statutory clarity by reaffirming the New York
State Park Police's independent agency authority under the Commissioner
of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. At the same time, the
bill makes clear that independence of command does not preclude intera-
gency collaboration. The Park Police will retain the authority to coor-
dinate and cooperate with the Division of State Police and other law
enforcement agencies, including through memoranda of understanding, for
purposes such as training, emergency response, and mass gatherings. By
distinguishing between independent operational authority and cooperative
public safety efforts, the legislation ensures both accountability and
effective interagency partnership.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.