Bill > S05741

This bill limits the circumstances under which police officers and peace officers can use deadly force, narrowing the previous legal standard. Specifically, officers can now only use deadly force when a person has committed a felony that threatened or resulted in death or serious bodily injury, and the officer reasonably believes the person will cause death or serious bodily injury to another person unless immediately apprehended. The bill requires that, when feasible, officers must first identify themselves and warn that deadly force may be used, unless they have reasonable grounds to believe the person is already aware of this. Additionally, the bill explicitly states that an officer cannot use deadly force against a person if an objectively reasonable officer would believe that the person does not pose an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or another person. This legislation aims to provide clearer guidelines and more restrictive parameters around the use of lethal force by law enforcement, with the goal of reducing unnecessary deadly encounters.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5741