Directs the commissioner of criminal justice services to study the effectiveness and accuracy of devices used to estimate blood alcohol content by law…

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Nathalia Fernandez says this is needed

According to research conducted by the New York Times, many of the devices utilized by law enforcement agencies across the United States to measure blood alcohol content are not always scientifically accurate. Some of these devices can create a reading indicating that a person is intoxicated from hair trigger sensitivities such as, but not limited to having used hand sanitizer before an examination. While field tests are not court admissible, the devices used in police stations are and they also have been found to be inaccurate. This legislation would require the Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services to conduct a study examin- ing the validity and reliability of these important tools used to secure convictions in cases where a suspect is found to be under the influence of alcohol. In addition, the findings of this study would help assure New Yorkers that justice is being carried out impartially.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.