BILL NUMBER: S6896A
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to enacting the PTSD
awareness and rehabilitation act
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to mandate PTSD screening, provide trauma-
informed education, and implement evidence-based rehabilitation programs
for incarcerated individuals
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 sets the title of the section as the "PTSD Awareness and Reha-
bilitation Act"
Section 2 sets out the legislative intent, acknowledging the prevalence
of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among incarcerated individuals,
often resulting from prior trauma, systemic inequalities, and the condi-
tions of incarceration and to mandate PTSD screening, provide trauma-in-
formed education, and implement evidence-based rehabilitation programs
to reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and support successful
reintegration into society.
Section 3 amends the Correction Law by adding a new section 12 that sets
out definitions used in the section, mandates PTSD screenings for all
incarcerated individuals upon intake and periodically during incarcera-
tion, directs the department to integrate trauma-informed rehabilitation
programs into existing educational and vocational training, and mandates
training for DOCCS staff on PTSD, de-escalation techniques, and proper
referral procedures for mental health treatment. The section also
requires the department to submit an annual report to the Governor and
the Legislature.
Section 4 sets that this act shall take effect 180 days after becoming
law.
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
Cleans up language to clarify the intent of the bill, and adds an opt
out provision for incarcerated individuals to decline to be screened
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe problem that is not
discussed and addressed enough within the criminal justice system. Many
incarcerated people have experienced trauma or suffer from mental health
conditions without treatment. From emotional and psychological distress
to physical health problems and social difficulties, the impact of
untreated PTSD is both profound and pervasive. Untreated PTSD can lead
to debilitating flashbacks, severe panic attacks, and persistent hyper-
vigilance. The Bureau of Justice Statistics conducted a study to estab-
lish the prevalence of PTSD among incarcerated individuals. In that
study, it was revealed that almost half of the incarcerated individuals
had PTSD or severe psychological distress, and many of them had
restricted access to mental health treatment.
Untreated PTSD can raise a person's likelihood of re-incarceration by
60% within five years. To break the cycle, we can offer the right
screening and trauma-informed rehabilitation to help them return to the
community successfully. Correctional facilities that have adopted trau-
ma-informed care have shown a measurable improvement in incarcerated
individual's behavior and performance after release. California and
Washington have adopted PTSD screening and treatment, which has reduced
prison violence by 30% and recidivism by 20%. Facilities that offer
mental health care have reduced incidents of misconduct by 34% and inci-
dents of self-harm by 25%. Enacting this bill will pave the way for the
criminal justice system to effectively rehabilitate and successfully
reintegrate individuals suffering from PTSD. In addition to that, it can
also improve conditions at correction facilities, reduce the number of
offenses repeated by a prisoner, and provide for a more successful
return to society post-release.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law.