News

As part of the state budget process, Governor Hochul has signed Chapter 55 of the Laws of 2026, which restricts how state and local government agencies – including police and other law enforcement agencies – may participate in immigration enforcement. This bulletin analyzes the six provisions most relevant to police chiefs and command staff. Prompt review of departmental policies, intergovernmental agreements, and officer training is advised.

As part of the state budget, Governor Hochul signed legislation revising the benefit structure of Tier 5 and Tier 6 members of New York’s public retirement systems. Three provisions directly affect sworn officers in the Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS): a reduction in Tier 6 member contribution rates, an increase in the amount of overtime that counts toward the pension calculation, and the continued exclusion of overtime from the wage figure used to set contribution rates. This bulletin addresses only the provisions that reach sworn municipal police, many of whom are generally Tier 5 or Tier 6 members of the Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS).1 New York City police, who belong to a separate police pension fund, are not addressed by these PFRS provisions.

As part of the state budget process, Governor Hochul signed legislation regulating the possession and sale of certain altered firearms. This new law has been commonly referred to as “the Glock ban” but does not name any specific manufacturer. The law amends the Penal Law to define a “convertible pistol,” firearms that have a design feature (a cruciform trigger bar) common to Glock-pattern and many other striker-fired pistols, as a “machine-gun” when equipped with a pistol converter. This bulletin analyzes the provisions most relevant to police chiefs and command staff.

As part of the state budget process, Governor Hochul signed legislation addressing the use and mitigation of drones. Unless otherwise noted, the law takes effect on August 25, 2026.

Chapter 466 alters police officer responsibilities when responding to reports of domestic violence. The legislation amends Criminal Procedure Law § 140.10(6) to require, rather than permit, the temporary seizure of firearms[i] under specified circumstances. This change represents a meaningful shift from discretionary decision-making to mandatory action and applies even in cases where no arrest is made.

Chapter 641 amends the Executive Law by adding a new section (§ 837-z) creating a formal legal framework for law enforcement peer support programs.