Legal
Legal matters are a core focus for local and state government agencies, encompassing the creation, interpretation, and enforcement of laws and regulations that govern public affairs. Legal frameworks ensure that government actions are consistent with the rule of law and protect citizens’ rights. Though by no means a perfect system – enforcement inequities continue to make the headlines – local leaders strive to create laws that work fairly for all.
Federal judge took just five minutes to tell HUD and DOGE to reinstate grant funds to four fair housing projects
The bill offers first-time homebuyer assistance with $0 down and no monthly mortgage insurance for qualified law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS providers
U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency cut funding for program that monitors cybersecurity threats across states and helps local officials respond
The new law will require deputies “to do a little more research” when they encounter someone carrying a firearm, Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said
The state Supreme Court found the nearly real-time surveillance of a person’s social media was the “functional equivalent” of tapping their phone
The new law says people whose image or voice is the subject of a body camera or dash camera recording can file a written request to review the recording
Four of seven justices found the scientific methodology is not reliable enough to allow examiners to testify that a particular gun fired a particular bullet
The group would analyze data on the state’s prison populations, recidivism rates, sentence proportionality and sentencing disparities
Providing LEOs “emotional and psychological support is important to ensure that officer stress and fatigue do not contribute to constitutional violations,” the report said
The bills also make it possible for anyone sentenced for a serious crime as a child to be given the option of parole after 10 years
New standards include the use of soft restraints, rather than metal cuffs; the routine involvement of health professionals; and regular checks on restrained inmates
The “clean slate” bill would automatically seal most recent convictions — 3 years after serving time or parole for a misdemeanor, and 8 years for felony convictions
LEOs interviewed said the law decriminalizing small amounts of heroin and other street drugs is ineffective and they believe it negatively affects public safety
There’s currently no law against making ghost guns; the new law would ban the ownership, sale and shipping of ghost gun parts in New York
The bill called for changing the standard for releasing police K-9s to bite someone, which would make it the same standard for officers using deadly force
Under the law, the sale of drug paraphernalia, such as glass tubes for smoking fentanyl, is a civil infraction. But possession is not banned
The $230M legislation provides funding for armed SROs at all public schools, increases physical safeguards and enhances mental health services for students
The bipartisan agreement would avoid making the state the second in the U.S. to decriminalize the possession of controlled substances
People with small amounts of methamphetamine, heroin and LSD are subject to non-criminal violations and given the choice to call a statewide hotline or pay a $100 fine
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