NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8054
SPONSOR: Raga TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring police offi-
cer training programs on interacting with individuals who are a part of
a sexual orientation and/or gender minority
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to provide additional training for law
enforcement on how to appropriately handle situations involving members
of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as to promote general education about
LGBTQ+ issues. This training will be developed in consultation with both
law enforcement personnel and members of sexual orientation and gender
minority communities. With this bill, law enforcement officers will be
better equipped to serve and interact with LGBTQ+ individuals, both
within the workplace and in the broader. community.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the executive law to establish a training program for
law enforcement officers focused on sexual orientation and gender iden-
tity, including how these identities may intersect with other aspects
such as race and religion. The program will also cover best practices
for creating an inclusive workplace for LGBTQ+ individuals, key moments
in LGBTQ+ history, and appropriate procedures for handling cases involv-
ing hate crimes and domestic abuse related to sexual orientation or
gender identity.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
A survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) found
that 26.8% of transgender individuals reported experiencing physical
force by police. Additionally, nearly 20% of LGBTQ+ individuals have
been arrested, compared to only 13.6% of non-LGBTQ+ individuals. These
disparities suggest that many law enforcement officers may lack the
training needed to ' appropriately handle situations involving sexual
orientation and gender minority communities.
Providing law enforcement officers in New York with comprehensive LGBTQ+
competency training will enhance community relations and equip officers
with the skills necessary to effectively and respectfully engage with
LGBTQ+ individuals. This bill will foster more inclusive work environ-
ments Within law enforcement, support more informed responses to sensi-
tive situations, and encourage stronger cooperation between officers and
the communities they serve.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8054
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 22, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. RAGA -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Codes
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring police offi-
cer training programs on interacting with individuals who are a part
of a sexual orientation and/or gender minority
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 840 of the executive law is
2 amended by adding a new paragraph (n) to read as follows:
3 (n) Establishment and implementation on an ongoing basis, of a train-
4 ing program for all current and new police officers and peace officers
5 regarding how to interact with individuals who are a part of a sexual
6 orientation and/or gender minority. The content of such training program
7 shall be created in consultation with police officers and peace officers
8 who are a part of a sexual orientation and/or gender minority and
9 members of the community who are individuals who are a part of a sexual
10 orientation and/or gender minority, including at least one male, one
11 female, and one transgender person. Such training program shall include,
12 but not be limited to:
13 (1) The difference between sexual orientation and gender identity and
14 how these two aspects of identity relate to each other and to race,
15 culture, and religion.
16 (2) The terminology used to identify and describe sexual orientation
17 and gender identity.
18 (3) How to create an inclusive workplace within law enforcement for
19 sexual orientation and gender identity minorities.
20 (4) Important moments in history related to sexual orientation and
21 gender identity minorities and law enforcement.
22 (5) How law enforcement can respond effectively to domestic violence
23 and hate crimes involving sexual orientation and gender identity minori-
24 ties.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05983-01-5
A. 8054 2
1 § 2. This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding
2 the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
3 addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation by the
4 municipal police training council necessary for the implementation of
5 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
6 on or before such effective date.
