Bill > S03662

This bill restricts law enforcement officers from initiating traffic stops for certain minor violations of the vehicle and traffic law, known as "secondary violations," which include things like having an expired inspection sticker, inadequate windshield wipers, or a single non-functioning headlamp. The legislation aims to reduce discriminatory policing practices by preventing officers from stopping vehicles solely for these low-level infractions. The bill requires law enforcement agencies to collect detailed data on all traffic stops, including information about the time, location, reason for the stop, perceived race and ethnicity of the person stopped, and actions taken by the officer. Evidence obtained from stops based exclusively on secondary violations will be inadmissible in court. Additionally, the bill mandates that officers advise individuals of their rights before conducting vehicle searches, require body-worn camera activation during stops, and prohibit searches based solely on the smell of cannabis. The Division of Criminal Justice Services must publish the collected traffic stop data online in a clear and accessible format, with the goal of increasing transparency and identifying potential patterns of discriminatory enforcement. The law is designed to promote racial equity in traffic enforcement and protect individuals' civil liberties by limiting pretextual stops and ensuring more meaningful oversight of law enforcement interactions.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3662