Senate bill · S4707 (2025-26)

Relates to the geographic area of employment of state university police officers, centralization of the state university police…

New York State Senate

Same as A5887, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Latest action Jun 4, 2026

Sponsor: Toby Ann Stavisky (State Senator, District 11, Democratic)

Official titleShow

Relates to the geographic area of employment of state university police officers, centralization of the state university police, and hiring of state university police officers; repealer

The heading above is this same sentence with its legal opening removed. No words were added, changed or reordered.

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From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 19, 2026. About our data

Summary

Expands the geographic area of employment of state university police officers; centralizes the state university police by appointing a commissioner of state university police; provides for the hiring of state university police officers.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Education Law.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Section 1 states legislative intent and finds that maintaining a safe environment on SUNY campuses is of critical importance. The section further states that the current structure of SUNY policing is ineffi- cient and inconsistent across campuses and that a more centralized command structure would improve oversight, coordination, and public safety. Section 2 amends paragraphs of subdivision 2 of section 355 of the education law to establish a commissioner of state university police who must be a sworn member of the force and complete required law enforce- ment training. The section authorizes the commissioner to appoint university police officers and one deputy commissioner and grants the commissioner supervisory and administrative authority over all SUNY police officers statewide. The section also preserves existing unclassi- fied service positions and collective bargaining protections for employ- ees in the professional staff negotiating unit (PSNU). In addition, the section clarifies that SUNY police may only exercise off-campus authori- ty pursuant to written agreements with adjoining law enforcement agen- cies relating to mutual aid, assistance, and off-campus events. Section 3 amends paragraph (s) of subdivision 34 of section 1.20 of the criminal procedure law to clarify that sworn members of the state university police are police officers under the criminal procedure law. Sections 4 and 5 amend paragraph (a) of subdivision 34-a of section 1.20 of the criminal procedure law to clarify that New York State constitutes the geographic area of employment for state university police officers, consistent with other statewide law enforcement agen- cies. Section 6 repeals paragraph (d) of subdivision 34-a of section 1.20 of the criminal procedure law. Section 7 amends subparagraph 6 of paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 211 of the retirement and social security law to make conforming changes related to the commissioner of state university police and university police officers. Section 8 establishes an effective date.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

Committee

Higher Education · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Higher Education · New York State Senate.

Your position on this bill

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Cosponsors

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

Read on NY Senate

Democratic21
Republican8

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

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The sponsor's argument

Why Toby Ann Stavisky says this is needed

Currently, the SUNY police system operates under a decentralized struc- ture that can create inconsistencies in oversight, command structure, and operational standards across campuses. This can lead to uneven enforcement practices and inefficiencies in administration and coordi- nation between campuses. This bill creates a more centralized and professional statewide struc- ture for SUNY policing by establishing a commissioner of state universi- ty police with clear supervisory authority over university police oper- ations statewide. The bill aligns SUNY policing more closely with other statewide law enforcement agencies and ensures that leadership positions are held by individuals with appropriate law enforcement experience and training. The legislation also clarifies the statewide geographic authority of SUNY police officers while still requiring written agreements with local law enforcement agencies for off-campus operations. This helps improve coordination and consistency while respecting the authority of local police agencies. In addition, the bill protects current collective bargaining rights and preserves the status of existing unclassified employees within the SUNY police structure. Overall, this legislation modernizes the adminis- tration of SUNY policing and promotes a more consistent and effective approach to campus public safety throughout New York State.

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.

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateJun 4, 2026Result: passed
(60) (0) (0) (3)
Vote: Committee vote · Rules
Senate RulesMay 28, 2026Result: passed
(21) (0) (0) (0)
Vote: Committee vote · Higher Education
Senate Higher EducationMay 13, 2025Result: passed
(11) (0) (0) (0)

Full history

Jun 4, 2026
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Jun 4, 2026
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Jun 4, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Assembly
May 28, 2026
Amend and Recommit to Higher Education
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Assembly
May 28, 2026
In committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
NY Senate

Show full history (8 earlier events)

May 28, 2026
Ordered to Third Reading CAL.1355
ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1355
NY Senate
May 13, 2026
Amend and Recommit to Higher Education
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Senate
Apr 28, 2026
Amend and Recommit to Higher Education
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Assembly
May 13, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
NY Senate
Feb 24, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Assembly
Feb 11, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Senate

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.