N.Y. Public Health Law § 2832-a: Emergency department security

* § 2832-a. Emergency department security. 1. A general hospital

located in a city or county with a population of one million or more

shall be required to have at least one off-duty law enforcement officer

or trained security personnel be present at all times in the emergency

department, subject to emergent circumstance in any hospital that

requires an adjustment in personnel.

2. A general hospital located in a city or county with a population

less than one million shall be required to have at least one off-duty

law enforcement officer or trained security personnel on premises at all

times in a manner that prioritizes physical presence near, or within

close proximity to, the emergency department of such hospital with

direct responsibility to the emergency department. This shall not apply

to hospitals designated as critical access hospitals, sole community

hospitals, or rural emergency hospitals. However, if any such hospital

experiences increased rates of violence or abuse of emergency department

personnel, by an amount to be determined by the commissioner, evidenced

by internal reporting pursuant to the violence prevention program or

reports to law enforcement the commissioner shall work with the critical

access hospital, sole community hospital, or rural emergency hospital to

come into compliance with the requirement, to have at least one off-duty

law enforcement officer or trained security personnel on premises at all

times in a manner that prioritizes physical presence near, or within

close proximity to, the emergency department of such hospital with

direct responsibility to the emergency department, over a reasonable

period of time.

* NB Effective September 18, 2026