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New York state lawmakers finished up passing a series of police reform measures Wednesday in a legislative push sparked by outrage and nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd.

The slate of legislation approved this week touches on a wide span of policing issues—mandating body cameras for state police, banning police chokeholds and reaffirming the right to record police activities. 

The Legislature also greenlighted measures that would repeal a state law used to shield police disciplinary records and allow civil lawsuits on frivolous 911 calls based on someone's race. 

The bills will move on to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has expressed support for measures included in the package.

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Westchester, the first black woman to hold the post, took to the chamber floor Wednesday and recited the names of black Americans killed by police.

"It would have been enough for our nation to battle one pandemic. But as we recover from COVID-19, we do so while continuing our centuries-long fight against the virus of racism," she said.

Stewart-Cousins also recalled the lyrics from the Bruce Springsteen song "American Skin (41 Shots)."

"It ain't no secret, no secret my friend. You can get killed just for living in your American skin," she said, quoting the song lyrics. 

"That line says it all," she said. 

One measure that passed both chambers would create a "law enforcement misconduct investigative office" within the state attorney general's office.

The office's mission would be to audit, study, review and make recommendations on the operations, policies and practices of state and local law enforcement agencies, according to the legislation. It says those efforts would have the goal of increasing public safety, protecting civil rights and growing public confidence in law enforcement.

The office would be headed by a deputy attorney general, who would have subpoena power and be tasked with investigating complaints.

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