Bill > A04231

This bill amends the New York State Penal Law to allow members of the Nassau County auxiliary police force to possess a police baton (a type of law enforcement baton measuring 24-26 inches long and up to 1.25 inches thick) when specifically authorized by the county police commissioner. The bill expands existing provisions that previously only permitted such baton possession for auxiliary police forces in New York City and Suffolk County. The authorization requires that auxiliary police members receive comprehensive training, which must include instruction on defensive baton use and legal standards for using deadly physical force, as defined in Article 35 of the state penal code. Importantly, the bill stipulates that these batons can only be used in situations where deadly physical force would be legally authorized, meaning they cannot be intentionally used to strike another person except under those strict circumstances. The legislation will go into effect 30 days after it becomes law, providing a standard implementation period for the new regulation.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4231