New York Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, D-Bronx. Photo: Hans Pennink/AP

In an effort to deter police misconduct, a New York state bill would require officers statewide to have personal liability insurance.

State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, D-Bronx, who is sponsoring the legislation, says the measure aims to establish a financial disincentive for police misconduct and create accountability. The bill was introduced on July 6.

Officers who have misconduct claims brought against them might see their premiums go up and be required to pay those costs, said Biaggi, who's district covers parts of the Bronx and Westchester County. 

The proposal would require officers to get liability insurance that covers claims against them for acts "during any period of time that such officer is performing duties within the scope of employment." 

The legislation stipulates that the base rate of the policy will be covered by a local government or agency. 

A report from the New York City Comptroller's Office says there was about $230 million in NYPD tort claim settlements for fiscal year 2018.

"And so taxpayers are basically bailing out law enforcement who engage in [this] misconduct," Biaggi said. "And the officers that are engaging in the misconduct are often evading meaningful accountability."

Biaggi said the liability insurance approach isn't a new idea. Nurses and hairdressers have some form of personal liability insurance, she said. 

Biaggi said she guesses the state Legislature will return toward the end of the month.

Her legislation comes weeks after protests against police brutality and racial injustice seized the nation's attention, prompting a national reckoning on the intersection between race and law enforcement. 

The large-scale protests followed the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. 

The outrage and groundswell of attention pushed state lawmakers to pass a package of police reforms, including measures to mandate body cameras for state police and ban police choke holds.

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