Bill > S06773

This bill amends the New York State Penal Law to expand the definition of tampering with physical evidence to include specific misconduct by police and peace officers related to body cameras. Under the proposed changes, a police or peace officer would be considered guilty of tampering with physical evidence if they turn off their body camera in a situation where department policy requires the camera to be recording, or if they delete a body camera recording. This new provision would be added as a third category to the existing law, which previously focused on creating false evidence or suppressing evidence in official proceedings. The act would make such actions a class E felony, which typically involves less serious felony offenses in New York's criminal justice system. By adding this provision, the bill aims to increase accountability and transparency for law enforcement officers by making it a criminal offense to intentionally disable or erase body camera footage that should be preserved. The bill would take effect 30 days after becoming law.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6773