Police would be banned from strip searching children under 17 when they are not under arrest and sniffer dogs barred from pubs, train stations and public streets without a warrant under law reforms proposed by the NSW Greens.

The draft bill would also limit the circumstances of allowing a strip search to go ahead to where there is an immediate and serious risk to the life and safety of any person, and specifically prohibit police asking people to "squat and cough" during a search.

Police question a man after a sniffer dog identified him for suspected drug possession at Field Day music festival on January 1. Credit:James Alcock

“The changes to strip searches would mean police could no longer strip search someone because they thought they might have a pill or joint on them," Greens justice spokesman David Shoebridge said.

“Strip searches are a serious invasion of privacy and dignity and should be reserved for situations where lives are at risk."