Bill > S01095

This bill requires the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services to establish a written policy prohibiting police agencies from using "sustained auditory dispersal tools," which are defined as long-range acoustic devices or sonic weapons that emit high-decibel tones or sounds capable of causing hearing loss or other dangerous effects. The bill specifically defines these tools as any sound-emitting device operating over 90 decibels that is used as a deterrent rather than for verbal communication. The legislation provides individuals who have been subjected to such a tool in violation of the policy the right to file a civil lawsuit against the law enforcement agency, potentially seeking damages up to $1,000 per violation, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees. When assessing punitive damages, courts would consider factors such as the number of violations, the decibel level used, any resulting medical complications, and the persistent nature of the violations by the specific law enforcement agency or officer. The bill aims to protect individuals from potentially harmful sound-based crowd control or dispersal methods by establishing clear restrictions and legal recourse.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1095