Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) today announced the State Senate has passed legislation (S.8483) he sponsored to give peace officer status to the protective officers of the United States Mint Police, United States Department of the Treasury.

The legislation amends the State Criminal Procedure Law by adding the United States Mint Police to the list of federal law enforcement officers who are officially designated as peace officers.

"This bill was requested by the United States Mint Police," said Senator Larkin. "It makes good common sense to give these officers this authority in law. In addition, York State is changing its computer system from NYSPEN to EJUSTICE. This system is used for gathering information and performing background checks and only peace officers are legally allowed to access this system. Therefore, we need this change in law so that the U.S. Mint Police will have the necessary peace officer status and access to the new EJUSTICE computer system which is vital to their law enforcement duties."

The bill was sent to the Assembly.