Bill > A07859

This bill prohibits civil arrests in hospitals, shelters, food banks, and crisis centers, creating legal protections for individuals seeking essential services. Under the proposed law, people cannot be arrested in these settings unless there is an imminent safety threat or a valid judicial warrant signed by a federal district judge or magistrate judge that demonstrates probable cause of a crime. The bill specifically prohibits arrests based on administrative warrants from immigration authorities or immigration detainers, which are requests to hold individuals for potential deportation. If someone is arrested in violation of these provisions, they can bring a civil action for relief, and the state's attorney general can also take legal action to enforce compliance. The bill defines key terms like "judicial warrant," "administrative warrant," and "immigration detainer" to provide clear legal guidelines. Importantly, any successful legal action under this law could result in the recovery of legal costs and attorney's fees, providing an additional deterrent against improper arrests and protecting vulnerable individuals from being detained while accessing critical services.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7859