Assembly approves DCJS study of personalized handguns, new utility complaint rules, parking‑ticket fix and hospital language requirements

The New York State Assembly on May 14, 2025 approved four measures that lawmakers and staff said aim to address gun safety technology, consumer protections for utility customers, parking‑ticket administration and language access in hospitals.

The measures won passage on largely party‑line votes after debate that ranged from technical questions about regulatory authority and testing standards to broader concerns about costs, implementation and civil liberties. Sponsors said the bills generally set standards and processes rather than imposing new criminal penalties or purchase mandates.

Why it matters: Together the bills touch public safety, everyday consumer protection and health care access. Lawmakers said the measures give state agencies clearer authority—often to study technology or set testing and customer‑service standards—while opponents urged caution about rushing regulation, administrative burden and potential unintended consequences.

Personalized‑handgun study (Assembly bill A1191 / Rules report 156) Assembly sponsors approved a bill that directs the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to evaluate the viability of user‑authenticated or “personalized” handguns and, if the agency finds them viable, to develop testing criteria and maintain a list of models that meet that standard.

Assemblymember Boris, the bill’s sponsor, said: “This bill directs the Division of Criminal Justice Services to do two things. First, it must within 180 days of the effective date investigate the viability of personalized handguns. And second, if it finds that they are viable, it must establish criteria for testing the guns and then maintain a list of such models.” (Remarks on the…