A 5501 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Requires the inclusion of cultural competency training in the basic training and pre-employment course curricula for police, firefighters, correction officers and first responders

Summary

Requires the inclusion of cultural competency training in the basic training and pre-employment course curricula for state police officers and municipal police officers and sheriffs, members of fire departments and companies, corrections officers, first responders, emergency medical technicians and advanced emergency medical technicians.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 14, 2025 Last action Mar 9, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

A5501 → A5501A · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change the terminology from 'diversity and inclusion training' to 'cultural competency training' and updated the bill's title and sponsor information to reflect committee actions. The substantive policy requirements remain the same, mandating training for police, firefighters, correction officers, and first responders.

Scope change

The bill's scope of applicability remains unchanged, covering the same groups of public safety personnel across state, municipal, and town jurisdictions.

REQUIREMENT

Changed required training terminology from 'diversity and inclusion' to 'cultural competency' throughout the bill text

TECHNICAL

Added new sponsor names (SHIMSKY) and updated committee status to reflect bill amendments and recommitment

Updated bill number designation from A 5501 to A 5501--A

Changed section numbers for correction law and public health law amendments to reflect updated bill version

DEFINITION

Added a new definition section clarifying that 'cultural competency' means knowledge and skills to appreciate, understand and interact with diverse populations

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 5501A

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

lower

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

lower

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor