S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8042
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              April 22, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by M. of A. RAJKUMAR -- read once and referred to the Commit-
   tee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
 
 AN  ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to creating the
   subway safety command and command force; and to amend the  penal  law,
   in relation to loitering in a subway station

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1.  This act shall be known and may  be  cited  as  the  "safe
 subways act".
   §  2.  The  public  authorities  law  is  amended  by adding three new
 sections 1266-n, 1266-o and 1266-p to read as follows:
   § 1266-N. SUBWAY SAFETY COMMAND AND COMMAND FORCE. 1. THE AUTHORITY IS
 HEREBY AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A SUBWAY  SAFETY
 COMMAND AND A SAFETY COMMAND FORCE, IN ADDITION AND COMPLEMENTARY TO THE
 AUTHORITY'S  EXISTING  PERSONNEL  AND  POLICE  FORCE.  THE SUBWAY SAFETY
 COMMAND SHALL OPERATE AND ADMINISTER A SAFETY COMMAND FORCE, AS  FURTHER
 DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.  SUCH COMMAND FORCE SHALL BE
 A  SUBSIDIARY  OF  AND  WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE   AUTHORITY AND THE
 AUTHORITY POLICE FORCE. IN CONSULTATION WITH THE AUTHORITY POLICE FORCE,
 THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE NEW  YORK  CITY  DEPARTMENT  OF
 HOMELESS  SERVICES AND THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL
 HYGIENE, THE SUBWAY SAFETY COMMAND AND COMMAND FORCE SHALL BE  RESPONSI-
 BLE FOR:
   (A) COORDINATING PUBLIC SAFETY;
   (B) HOMELESSNESS INTERVENTION SERVICES;
   (C) THE ORDERLY FLOW OF RIDERS IN AND OUT OF THE SUBWAY SYSTEM;
   (D) COMPLIANCE WITH FARE COLLECTION; AND
   (E) THE COSMETIC APPEARANCE OF SUBWAY TRAINS AND STATIONS.
   2.  THE  SUBWAY  SAFETY  COMMAND  SHALL  CONSIST OF CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES
 INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SOCIAL WORKERS, OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATIVE
 STAFF, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STAFF, AND HEALTHCARE  PROVIDERS  SUCH  AS
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD11624-04-5
              

 A. 8042                             2
 
 NURSES,  NURSE  PRACTITIONERS,  AND PHYSICIANS. THE NUMBER OF SUCH STAFF
 AND ANY ADDITIONAL STAFF SHALL  BE  DETERMINED  BY  THE  AUTHORITY,  THE
 COMMAND  CHIEF,  OR  AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVES  THEREOF.  ANY EMPLOYEE
 PROVIDING MEDICAL, LEGAL, OR OTHER SERVICES REQUIRING LICENSURE SHALL BE
 DULY  LICENSED  TO  DO SO IN THIS STATE. ANY MEMBER OF THE COMMAND FORCE
 SHALL HAVE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:
   (I) A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE IN SOCIAL  WORK  OR  SUBSTANTIALLY  RELATED
 FIELD  AND  THREE  YEARS  OF  EXPERIENCE  IN  HOMELESSNESS  INTERVENTION
 SERVICES;
   (II) A MASTER'S DEGREE OR  HIGHER  IN  SOCIAL  WORK  OR  SUBSTANTIALLY
 RELATED  FIELD  AND TWO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN HOMELESSNESS INTERVENTION
 SERVICES;
   (III) LICENSURE AS A CLINICAL OR MASTER SOCIAL WORKER AND TWO YEARS OF
 EXPERIENCE IN HOMELESSNESS INTERVENTION SERVICES; OR
   (IV) A FORMERLY UNHOUSED PERSON WITH AT LEAST FIVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
 IN HOMELESSNESS INTERVENTION SERVICES.
   3. (A) MEMBERS OF THE SAFETY COMMAND FORCE SHALL BE KNOWN  AS  "SAFETY
 OFFICERS". EACH MEMBER OF SUCH COMMAND FORCE SHALL BE A "POLICE OFFICER"
 FOR  THE  PURPOSES OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW, WITH ALL OF THE POWERS
 OF SUCH POLICE OFFICERS THEREUNDER AND SUBJECT  TO  THE  SAME  JURISDIC-
 TIONAL  PROVISIONS  ON  THE  EXERCISE OF THAT POWER AS SET FORTH IN SUCH
 LAW; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH OFFICERS SHALL NOT  BE  AUTHORIZED  TO
 CARRY  FIREARMS.    THE  GEOGRAPHICAL  AREA OF EMPLOYMENT OF SUCH POLICE
 OFFICERS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE  LAW  SHALL  EMBRACE
 THE  METROPOLITAN COMMUTER TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT AS DEFINED IN SECTION
 TWELVE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO OF THIS TITLE. SUCH COMMAND  FORCE  SHALL  HAVE
 THE  POWER,  IN  AND  ABOUT ANY OR ALL OF THE FACILITIES OWNED, OCCUPIED
 AND/OR OPERATED BY THE AUTHORITY AND ITS  SUBSIDIARY  CORPORATIONS,  THE
 NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT AUTHORITY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, AND THE TRIBOROUGH
 BRIDGE  AND  TUNNEL  AUTHORITY,  AS  DETERMINED IN THE DISCRETION OF THE
 AUTHORITY, TO ENFORCE AND PREVENT VIOLATION OF ALL LAWS AND  ORDINANCES.
 NOTHING  IN  THIS  SECTION  SHALL  CONFER UPON THE COMMAND FORCE OR UPON
 THEIR COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATIONS REPRESENTATIVES EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION  OR
 CLAIM  OVER  THE  EXERCISE OF POLICE POWER OR SECURITY WORK ON BEHALF OF
 THE AUTHORITY AND ITS SUBSIDIARY CORPORATIONS, THE NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT
 AUTHORITY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, AND THE  TRIBOROUGH  BRIDGE  AND  TUNNEL
 AUTHORITY.  NOTHING  IN  THIS  SECTION SHALL LIMIT THE AUTHORITY AND ITS
 SUBSIDIARY CORPORATIONS, THE NEW YORK CITY  TRANSIT  AUTHORITY  AND  ITS
 SUBSIDIARIES,  AND  THE  TRIBOROUGH  BRIDGE  AND  TUNNEL  AUTHORITY FROM
 CONTINUING TO RELY ON LOCAL POLICE FOR POLICE SERVICES.
   (B) SELECTION OF SAFETY OFFICER CANDIDATES SHALL BE MADE  PURSUANT  TO
 AN EXAMINATION PROCESS TO BE DETERMINED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE AUTHOR-
 ITY, AND CANDIDATES MUST RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE ATTESTING TO SATISFACTORY
 COMPLETION  OF  AN  APPROVED MUNICIPAL POLICE BASIC TRAINING PROGRAM, AS
 DESCRIBED IN SECTION TWO HUNDRED NINE-Q OF THE  GENERAL  MUNICIPAL  LAW.
 SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS SHALL HAVE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICA-
 TIONS:
   (I)  A  BACCALAUREATE  DEGREE  IN SOCIAL WORK OR SUBSTANTIALLY RELATED
 FIELD  AND  THREE  YEARS  OF  EXPERIENCE  IN  HOMELESSNESS  INTERVENTION
 SERVICES;
   (II)  A  MASTER'S  DEGREE  OR  HIGHER  IN SOCIAL WORK OR SUBSTANTIALLY
 RELATED FIELD AND TWO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN  HOMELESSNESS  INTERVENTION
 SERVICES;
   (III) LICENSURE AS A CLINICAL OR MASTER SOCIAL WORKER AND TWO YEARS OF
 EXPERIENCE IN HOMELESSNESS INTERVENTION SERVICES; OR
 A. 8042                             3
 
   (IV) A FORMERLY UNHOUSED PERSON WITH AT LEAST FIVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
 IN HOMELESSNESS INTERVENTION SERVICES.
   (C)  THE AUTHORITY SHALL PROVIDE FOR A RETIREMENT PLAN CONSISTENT WITH
 THAT OF THE AUTHORITY POLICE  FORCE,  PROVIDED  FOR  IN  SECTION  TWELVE
 HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX-H OF THIS TITLE.
   (D)  NOTHING  IN  THIS SECTION SHALL BE DEEMED TO DIMINISH, SUSPEND OR
 ABOLISH AN EXISTING BENEFIT INURED TO A POLICE OFFICER, TRANSFERRED FROM
 THE AUTHORITY POLICE FORCE AND SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION
 IN AND TO THE RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES OR STATUS PREVIOUSLY  EARNED  WITHIN  A
 PENSION  OR  RETIREMENT  SYSTEM  OF WHICH THEY WERE A MEMBER IMMEDIATELY
 PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF THIS SECTION; AND  ANY  SUCH  EXISTING  RIGHT,
 PRIVILEGE  OR STATUS SHALL SURVIVE THE EFFECT OF ANY DECISIONS OR DETER-
 MINATIONS LAWFULLY MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS HEREOF SO LONG
 AS SUCH RIGHT, PRIVILEGE OR STATUS IS GREATER IN BENEFIT TO  THAT  WHICH
 WOULD  BE  IMPOSED  OR  IMPUTED  TO  ANY  SUBJECT OFFICER AS A RESULT OF
 ACTIONS OF THE AUTHORITY AUTHORIZED IN THIS SECTION.
   (E) A POLICE OFFICER MAY  REMOVE  A  PERSON  FROM  ANY  TRANSPORTATION
 FACILITY  PURSUANT  TO  SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION 240.35 OF THE PENAL
 LAW; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ONLY A SAFETY OFFICER, OR  AN  EMPLOYEE  OR
 OTHER AGENT OF THE STATE OR THE CITY OF NEW YORK WITH EXPERTISE IN HOME-
 LESSNESS INTERVENTION SERVICES OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, MAY REMOVE A PERSON
 WHO LOITERS OR REMAINS IN ANY TRANSPORTATION FACILITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF
 USING  SUCH  FACILITY  AS  A DOMICILE, TEMPORARY RESIDENCE, OR OVERNIGHT
 SHELTER. AT THE TIME OF REMOVAL, SUCH PERSON SHALL BE PROVIDED TRANSPOR-
 TATION TO A SUBWAY SAFETY COMMAND CENTER, WHERE  SUCH  PERSON  SHALL  BE
 OFFERED  AND  RECEIVE ACCESS TO A SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY UNIT, AS DEFINED
 BY SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION FORTY-FIVE OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, OR
 UNIT FOR ONE FAMILY, AS WELL AS PROVISION OF SERVICES INCLUDING BUT  NOT
 LIMITED TO HEALTHCARE, MENTAL HEALTHCARE, ADDICTION SERVICES, EDUCATION,
 AND  EMPLOYMENT. FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUCH SERVICE PROVISION, THERE SHALL
 BE A PRESUMPTION OF ELIGIBILITY  TO  THE  MAXIMUM  EXTENT  POSSIBLE  AND
 CONFIRMATION OF ELIGIBILITY SHALL OCCUR SUBSEQUENT TO PROGRAM ADMISSION.
   4. THE AUTHORITY SHALL APPOINT A CHIEF WHO SHALL DESIGNATE ONE OR MORE
 DEPUTY  CHIEFS OF THE SAFETY COMMAND FORCE, AND ASSIGN POWERS AND DUTIES
 TO THEM AND FIX THEIR COMPENSATION. THE CHIEF SHALL BE THE HEAD OF  SUCH
 COMMAND  FORCE.  ONE  DEPUTY CHIEF DESIGNATED BY THE CHIEF SHALL POSSESS
 ALL THE POWERS AND PERFORM ALL  THE  DUTIES  OF  THE  CHIEF  DURING  THE
 CHIEF'S ABSENCE OR DISABILITY.
   § 1266-O. SAFETY COMMAND CENTERS. 1. (A) EACH BOROUGH OF NEW YORK CITY
 IN  WHICH  THE AUTHORITY OPERATES A SUBWAY SYSTEM SHALL HAVE ONE OR MORE
 SAFETY COMMAND CENTERS OPERATING EITHER  IN  OR  ADJACENT  TO  A  SUBWAY
 STATION,  AS SPACE AND OTHER FACTORS PERMIT, OPERATED AND STAFFED BY THE
 SAFETY COMMAND, PURSUANT TO SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX-N  OF  THIS
 TITLE.    SAFETY COMMAND CENTERS SHALL CONDUCT INTAKE OF INDIVIDUALS FOR
 HOMELESS INTERVENTION SERVICES; COLLECT AND MONITOR DATA  IN  REAL  TIME
 PURSUANT  TO THE MISSION OF THE COMMAND; AND DISPATCH POLICE OFFICERS OF
 THE COMMAND FORCE AND OTHERS TO  RESPOND  TO  INCIDENTS  OR  AREAS  WITH
 INCREASED NEED.
   (B)  ANY  INDIVIDUAL IN NEED MAY SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM COMMAND CENTERS.
 COMMAND CENTERS SHALL  PROVIDE  ASSISTANCE  TO  ANY  INDIVIDUAL  WHO  IS
 BROUGHT  TO  THE COMMAND CENTER PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (E) OF SUBDIVISION
 FOUR OF SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX-N OF THIS TITLE AND SUBDIVISION
 THREE OF SECTION 240.35 OF THE PENAL LAW.   HOMELESSNESS    INTERVENTION
 SERVICES MAY BE PROVIDED BY THE COMMAND CENTER DIRECTLY OR  IN  CONJUNC-
 TION    WITH  THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HOMELESS SERVICES OR OTHER
 CITY OR STATE ENTITIES.   INDIVIDUALS SHALL NOT  BE  CONSIDERED  IN  THE
 A. 8042                             4
 
 CUSTODY  OF  THE  STATE  OR CITY AND SHALL BE FREE TO LEAVE AT ANY TIME;
 HOWEVER, STAFF MAY ENCOURAGE  INDIVIDUALS  TO  RECEIVE  MEDICAL,  MENTAL
 HEALTH,  HOUSING,  OR OTHER SERVICES. IF AN INDIVIDUAL POSES A THREAT TO
 THEMSELF  OR  OTHERS,  SUCH  INDIVIDUAL MAY BE COMMITTED FOR PSYCHIATRIC
 EVALUATION OR DETAINED, AS APPROPRIATE, PURSUANT TO RULES AND  PROTOCOLS
 TO  BE PROMULGATED BY THE COMMAND. WHERE POSSIBLE, INTERVENTION SERVICES
 SHALL BE PRIORITIZED OVER DETENTION OR COMMITMENT.
   (C) IF AN INDIVIDUAL IS MOVED TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION, SUCH INDIVIDUAL
 SHALL BE ESCORTED BY AT LEAST ONE NON-OFFICER STAFF MEMBER AND MAY  ALSO
 BE  ESCORTED  BY  AN  OFFICER,  IF NECESSARY, AND SHALL BE PROVIDED FREE
 TRANSPORTATION TO SUCH LOCATION. INDIVIDUALS SHALL BE  ALLOWED  TO  KEEP
 THEIR  BELONGINGS TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PRACTICABLE. INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
 NOT UNDER ARREST SHALL BE REMINDED THAT THEY ARE NOT UNDER ARREST OR  IN
 CUSTODY  AND  OF THEIR RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICES. IF AN INDIVIDUAL WISHES
 TO REFUSE SERVICES, STAFF MEMBERS MAY ENCOURAGE SUCH  PERSON  TO  ACCEPT
 SERVICES AND INFORM SUCH PERSON OF THE RISKS OF REFUSING SERVICES.
   2.  THE SUBWAY SAFETY COMMAND SHALL DEVELOP DE-ESCALATION TRAINING FOR
 OFFICERS WHO PATROL THE TRANSIT SYSTEM,  INCLUDING  THE  SAFETY  COMMAND
 FORCE,  AUTHORITY  POLICE FORCE, AND NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS
 ASSIGNED TO THE SUBWAY  SYSTEM.  SUCH  TRAINING  SHALL  BE  DESIGNED  TO
 ADDRESS  THE  UNIQUE  CHARACTERISTICS AND OPERATIONS OF SUCH PATROLLING,
 WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON VIOLENT SITUATIONS  IN  THE  CONTEXT  OF  THE
 SUBWAY  SYSTEM  AND  SITUATIONS THAT COULD ESCALATE INTO VIOLENCE, ESPE-
 CIALLY IN THE CONTEXT OF HOMELESSNESS INTERVENTION. SUCH TRAINING  SHALL
 INCLUDE,  BUT  NEED  NOT BE LIMITED TO, RECOGNITION AND UNDERSTANDING OF
 MENTAL  ILLNESS  AND  DISTRESS,  EFFECTIVE  COMMUNICATION  SKILLS,   AND
 CONFLICT  DE-ESCALATION  TECHNIQUES.  SUCH  TRAINING  SHALL ALSO INCLUDE
 CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN THE CONTEXT OF HOMELESSNESS. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL
 PROVIDE SUCH TRAINING TO EACH OFFICER NO LESS FREQUENTLY THAN ONCE EVERY
 THIRD CALENDAR YEAR, AND SUCH TRAINING SHALL  BE  REGULARLY  UPDATED  TO
 INCLUDE  METHODS  THAT  HAVE PROVEN EFFECTIVE AND ELIMINATE METHODS THAT
 HAVE PROVEN INEFFECTIVE.
   3. THE SUBWAY SAFETY COMMAND SHALL INSTITUTE AN  ELECTRONIC  REPORTING
 SYSTEM  FOR  USE  BY  THE  GENERAL PUBLIC. THERE SHALL BE QUICK-RESPONSE
 CODES POSTED PROMINENTLY WITHIN EVERY SUBWAY CAR AND ON  EVERY  PLATFORM
 WHICH,  ONCE  SCANNED,  WILL  LINK TO SUCH REPORTING SYSTEM. POSTED WITH
 SUCH QUICK-RESPONSE CODES SHALL BE THE PLATFORM OR TRAIN AND CAR  NUMBER
 OR IDENTIFIER CLEARLY PRINTED IN A FONT AND FONT SIZE LARGE ENOUGH TO BE
 READ  BY  THE  AVERAGE  PERSON  AT LEAST FIFTY FEET AWAY. SUCH REPORTING
 SYSTEM SHALL BE MONITORED BY COMMAND CENTER PERSONNEL AT ALL  TIMES  THE
 CENTER IS OPERATING. WHEN A COMPLAINT IS RECEIVED, IT SHALL BE FORWARDED
 TO THE PROPER DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE COMMAND AND TAKEN CARE OF AS SOON AS
 PRACTICABLE, RELATIVE TO THE TYPE AND SEVERITY OF THE REPORT. THE SYSTEM
 SHALL  ALLOW  AND  ENCOURAGE  RIDERS TO REPORT ISSUES, INCLUDING BUT NOT
 LIMITED TO:
   (A) VIOLATIONS OF POSTED SUBWAY RULES;
   (B) PANHANDLING;
   (C) VIOLENCE OR THREATS OF VIOLENCE;
   (D) CRIMINAL ACTIVITY;
   (E) COMPLAINTS ABOUT OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE BEHAVIOR,  INCLUDING  USE  OF
 FORCE;
   (F)  DAMAGED  SUBWAY  OR  STATION PROPERTY, INCLUDING GRAFFITI, FAULTY
 TURNSTILES OR ENTRANCES AND EXITS, ELEVATOR OUTAGES, AND  BROKEN,  SLIP-
 PERY,  OR  OTHERWISE  DANGEROUS FLOORING, TILES, BENCHES, STAIRWELLS, OR
 RAILINGS;
   (G) SANITATION CONCERNS, INCLUDING BIOHAZARDS;
 A. 8042                             5
 
   (H) OTHER SAFETY CONCERNS; AND
   (I) PERSONS IN NEED OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.
   4. (A) THE SUBWAY SAFETY COMMAND SHALL KEEP RECORDS AND DATA REGARDING
 THE USE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SUBWAY SYSTEM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMIT-
 ED  TO  FARE  COMPLIANCE;  CUSTOMER  COMPLAINTS; SAFETY CONCERNS; POLICE
 OFFICER INTERACTION WITH THE PUBLIC; AND THE  EFFICACY  OF  HOMELESSNESS
 INTERVENTION SERVICES OFFERED BY THE COMMAND.
   (B)  SUCH DATA SHALL BE ACCESSIBLE BY THE AUTHORITY, THE DEPARTMENT OF
 TRANSPORTATION, AND THE SUBWAY IMPROVEMENT TASK  FORCE,  ESTABLISHED  BY
 SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX-P OF THIS TITLE, AT ANY TIME.
   (C)  NOT  LESS  THAN ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS, THE COMMAND, THE AUTHORITY
 POLICE FORCE, AND THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT  SHALL  DEVELOP  A
 PATROL  AND  DEPLOYMENT PLAN FOR POLICE, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND OTHER INDI-
 VIDUALS ENGAGED IN HOMELESSNESS INTERVENTION BASED ON  THE  EFFICACY  OF
 PREVIOUS  SUCH PLANS. SUCH PLANS SHALL MINIMIZE OVER-TIME SCHEDULING AND
 DEPLOYMENT OF NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT  OFFICERS  IN  THE  SUBWAY
 SYSTEM  AND  SHALL  MAXIMIZE  UTILIZATION OF SAFETY COMMAND OFFICERS AND
 PERSONNEL AND COMMAND SERVICES.
   § 1266-P. SUBWAY IMPROVEMENT TASK FORCE. THE AUTHORITY SHALL CREATE  A
 TASK  FORCE  THAT WILL CONDUCT A THOROUGH STUDY OF THE DESIGN AND LAYOUT
 OF SUBWAY STATIONS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND RIDER EXPERIENCE. SUCH
 STUDY  SHALL  CULMINATE  IN  RECOMMENDATIONS  TO  IMPROVE  THE  EXISTING
 STATIONS  AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW STATIONS. THE
 GOAL OF SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL  INCLUDE,  BUT  NOT  BE  LIMITED  TO,
 IMPROVING  OPEN SIGHTLINESS AND REDUCING VISIBLE OBSTRUCTIONS FOR RIDERS
 AND PERSONNEL, ENSURING ALL AREAS  ARE  WELL-LIT,  CLEARLY  MARKING  AND
 RESTRICTING  ACCESS  TO  NON-PUBLIC  AREAS,  USING  DURABLE MATERIALS TO
 REDUCE THE RISK OF AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH VANDALISM, AND  MAKING  THE
 STATIONS  CONDUCIVE TO THE ORDERLY FLOW OF FOOT TRAFFIC, INCLUDING CLEAR
 DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE, MINIMAL CHOKEPOINTS,  AND  PLATFORM  ACCESSIBILITY.
 SUCH  TASK  FORCE  SHALL  CONTINUE  TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO
 IMPROVE THE SUBWAY SYSTEM UNTIL DISBANDED OR OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED BY THE
 DEPARTMENT OR THE LEGISLATURE.
   § 3. Section 240.35 of the penal  law,  subdivision  5  as  separately
 amended by chapters 350 and 395 of the laws of 2001 and subdivision 6 as
 renumbered  by  chapter  446  of the laws of 1978, is amended to read as
 follows:
 § 240.35 Loitering.
   A person is guilty of loitering when [he] SUCH PERSON:
   [2.] 1. Loiters or remains in a public place for the purpose of gambl-
 ing with cards, dice or other gambling paraphernalia; or
   [5.] 2. Loiters or remains in or about school grounds,  a  college  or
 university building or grounds or a children's overnight camp as defined
 in  section  one  thousand three hundred ninety-two of the public health
 law or a summer day camp  as  defined  in  section  one  thousand  three
 hundred  ninety-two  of the public health law, or loiters, remains in or
 enters a school bus as defined in section one hundred forty-two  of  the
 vehicle and traffic law, not having any reason or relationship involving
 custody  of  or  responsibility  for  a  pupil  or student, or any other
 specific, legitimate reason for being  there,  and  not  having  written
 permission  from  anyone  authorized  to  grant  the  same or loiters or
 remains in or about such children's overnight camp or summer day camp in
 violation of conspicuously posted rules or regulations  governing  entry
 and use thereof; or
   [6.]  3. (A) Loiters or remains in any transportation facility, unless
 specifically authorized to do so, for the purpose of USING SUCH FACILITY
 A. 8042                             6
 
 AS A DOMICILE, TEMPORARY RESIDENCE, OR OVERNIGHT SHELTER, soliciting  or
 engaging in any business, trade or commercial transactions involving the
 sale  of  merchandise  or  services,  or for the purpose of entertaining
 persons by singing, dancing or playing any musical instrument[; or].
   (B)  FOR THE PURPOSES OF ENFORCEMENT OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
 SION, A POLICE OFFICER MAY REMOVE SUCH PERSON  FROM  ANY  TRANSPORTATION
 FACILITY;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ONLY A SAFETY OFFICER, OR AN EMPLOYEE
 OR OTHER AGENT OF THE STATE OR THE CITY OF NEW YORK  WITH  EXPERTISE  IN
 HOMELESSNESS  INTERVENTION  SERVICES  OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, MAY REMOVE A
 PERSON WHO LOITERS OR REMAINS IN ANY  TRANSPORTATION  FACILITY  FOR  THE
 PURPOSE  OF  USING  SUCH FACILITY AS A DOMICILE, TEMPORARY RESIDENCE, OR
 OVERNIGHT SHELTER, AND SUCH PERSON SHALL BE OFFERED AND  RECEIVE  ACCESS
 TO SERVICES PURSUANT TO SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX-N OF THE PUBLIC
 AUTHORITIES LAW.
   Loitering is a violation.
   §  4.  Subdivisions  3 and 4 of section 1279 of the public authorities
 law, as added by chapter 427 of the laws of  1983,  paragraph  (a-1)  of
 subdivision  4 as amended by section 15 of part BBB of chapter 59 of the
 laws of 2021 and paragraph (e) of subdivision 4 as  amended  by  chapter
 322 of the laws of 1985, are amended to read as follows:
   3.  The  inspector  general shall have full and unrestricted access to
 all records, information, data, reports,  plans,  projections,  matters,
 contracts,  memoranda,  correspondence  and  any  other materials of the
 authority and its subsidiaries, THE  SUBWAY  SAFETY  COMMAND,  the  Long
 Island [railroad] RAIL ROAD, metro-north railroad, metropolitan suburban
 bus  authority  and  Staten Island rapid transit operating authority, of
 the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority, and of  the  New  York  city
 transit  authority  and  its subsidiary, the Manhattan and Bronx surface
 transit operating authority, or any other agency that may come under the
 control of the authority, or within their custody or control.
   4. The inspector general, notwithstanding the provisions of title nine
 of this article and this title, and of title three of article  three  OF
 THIS CHAPTER, shall have the following functions, powers and duties:
   (a)  to  receive  and  investigate  complaints from any source or upon
 [his] SUCH INSPECTOR'S own initiative concerning alleged abuses,  frauds
 and  service deficiencies, including deficiencies in the maintenance and
 operation of facilities, relating to the authority and its  subsidiaries
 as  listed in subdivision two [above] OF THIS SECTION, THE SUBWAY SAFETY
 COMMAND, the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority  and  the  New  York
 city transit authority and its subsidiary;
   (a-1)  to  receive and investigate complaints from any source, or upon
 [his or her] SUCH INSPECTOR'S own initiative, concerning allegations  of
 corruption,  fraud, use of excessive force, criminal activity, conflicts
 of interest or abuse by any police officer under the jurisdiction of the
 office of  the  metropolitan  transportation  authority  OR  THE  SAFETY
 COMMAND  FORCE  and  promptly  inform  the  division of criminal justice
 services, in the form and manner as prescribed by the division, of  such
 allegations  and  the  progress of investigations related thereto unless
 special circumstances require confidentiality.   Nothing in  this  para-
 graph shall require the division of criminal justice services to partic-
 ipate in the investigation of such allegations or take action or prevent
 the  division of criminal justice services from taking action authorized
 pursuant to subdivision three of section eight hundred forty-five of the
 executive law in the time and manner determined by the  commissioner  of
 the division of criminal justice services[.];
 A. 8042                             7
 
   (b)  to initiate such reviews as [he] may [deem] BE DEEMED appropriate
 of the operations of the authority and its  subsidiaries  as  listed  in
 subdivision  two [above] OF THIS SECTION, THE SUBWAY SAFETY COMMAND, the
 Triborough bridge and tunnel authority, or the  New  York  city  transit
 authority  and  its  subsidiary,  in  order  to  identify areas in which
 performance might be improved and available funds used more effectively;
   (B-1) TO DISPATCH PERSONNEL OR OTHER AGENTS OF THE OFFICE TO DETERMINE
 COMPLIANCE OF BEST PRACTICES BY INDIVIDUALS UNDER THE  DIRECTION  OF  OR
 WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SUBWAY SAFETY COMMAND; SUCH PERSONNEL OR
 AGENTS  SHALL  NOT  BE  REQUIRED TO BEAR ANY IDENTIFYING INDICIA AND MAY
 HAVE ATTIRE OR A MANNER OF CONDUCT  CONSISTENT  WITH  A  PERSON  WITH  A
 MENTAL DISABILITY OR HOMELESS PERSON;
   (c) to recommend remedial actions to be taken by the authority and its
 subsidiaries  as  listed  in subdivision two of this section, THE SUBWAY
 SAFETY COMMAND, the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority, and the  New
 York  city  transit authority and its subsidiary, to overcome or correct
 operating or maintenance deficiencies and inefficiencies that [he]  SUCH
 INSPECTOR determines to exist;
   (d)  to make available to appropriate law enforcement officials infor-
 mation and evidence which relate to criminal acts [that he  may  obtain]
 OBTAINED in carrying out [his] THE duties OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL UNDER
 THIS SECTION;
   (e)  to  subpoena  witnesses,  administer  oaths or affirmations, take
 testimony and compel the production of such books, papers,  records  and
 documents  as [he] may [deem] BE DEEMED to be relevant to any inquiry or
 investigation undertaken pursuant to this section and to  delegate  such
 powers to a duly authorized deputy inspector general;
   (f)  to  monitor  the  implementation by the authority and its subsid-
 iaries, THE SUBWAY SAFETY COMMAND, the [Triborugh] TRIBOROUGH bridge and
 tunnel authority and the New York city transit authority and its subsid-
 iary of recommendations made by the inspector  general  or  other  audit
 agencies; and
   (g)  to do all things necessary to carry out the functions, powers and
 duties set forth in this section.
   § 5. This act shall take effect on the first of January next  succeed-
 ing the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately,
 the  addition,  amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation neces-
 sary for the implementation of  this  act  on  its  effective  date  are
 authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.