Tipster Protection Bill Passes

Legislation

Posted Jun 27, 2007, 09:44 am CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss

The New York legislature has approved a law that protects citizens who warn of suspicious activity.

The bill bars those fingered by such reports from suing the tipsters, Joseph Goldstein reports in the New York Sun. It provides immunity for anyone who in good faith files a report warning that a crime is about to occur.

The bill is a response to a Minnesota lawsuit filed by six imans ejected from an airplane based on a passenger note warning of their suspicious behavior. The suit seeks damages from America West Airlines and any passengers who voiced concern.