The New York state assembly is handling a controversial proposal. It would let the governor detain those he perceives to be a health risk.
If passed, the bill would allow Governor Cuomo to give those he chooses the power to detain people who might pose a health risk. No warrant would be required. People could be held for up to 60 days. It would go into effect when the state declares a state of emergency. People who count as a health risk to others might be those who have been in contact with someone who tested positive. They don’t necessarily have to test positive themselves. If a detained person were to ask to be let go, the detainer has one week to get a warrant from a judge before having to let the person go.
Nicolas Giordano, a professor of Political Science, says this bill goes directly against the United States Constitution.
James Lindsay is an author and political commentator. He agrees with Giordano about the bill’s violating nature.
“First of all, it’s just absolutely unconstitutional. It’s the kind of expansion of power that everyone should be extremely concerned about, extremely worried about. Just to hand over the power to detain people to the governor based on his opinion about whether or not someone constitutes a public health threat.”
The bill has been introduced and is now with the Assembly committee.
