The New York State Assembly has passed a revised bill that would give credentialed journalists real-time access to encrypted police radio transmissions across the state, with one big carve-out: it does not cover the NYPD. The vote, first reported by AMNY, is the legislature’s second run at the idea in as many years after Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a broader version last December.

The bill would require any law enforcement agency in New York that encrypts its radio communications to let those channels be monitored in real time by professional journalists, newscasters and people employed by emergency services organizations, according to the legislation. Sensitive information is exempt. Who counts as a journalist is set by a tightened version of the state Shield Law, and news organizations that want access have to carry liability insurance. Freelancers would have to route their work through those insured outlets. Bloggers and influencers are not included.

Police scanners went dark when departments around the state switched to full encryption, cutting off the open channels that newsrooms had monitored since the 1930s. The NYPD switched to full encryption two years ago, except for one city-wide channel and its transit divisions.