Bill > S00189

This bill establishes a new "police canine vest fund" to support state and municipal police departments in protecting and equipping their canine units. The fund will be jointly managed by the state comptroller and commissioner of taxation and finance, and can receive money from various sources including grants and gifts. Specifically, the fund will be used to purchase, maintain, repair, and replace soft body ballistic armor vests and other protective equipment for police canines, as well as to purchase and train police dogs. Municipal police departments can apply to the state police superintendent for assistance in obtaining these protective items, with the superintendent developing a selection process for which departments will receive support. The bill emphasizes that police departments are still allowed to use their own funds for canine protective equipment. Money from the fund can only be spent on authorized purposes, and will be paid out through a process involving audit and approval by the state comptroller and state police superintendent. The act will take effect 60 days after becoming law and will apply to all claims filed on or after that date.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S189