BILL NUMBER: S8061
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to providing mental
health counseling for correction officers and civilian staff in correc-
tional facilities
 
PURPOSE:
Provides for mental health counseling for correction officers and civil-
ian staff in correctional facilities.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the correction law by adding a new section 22-b, to
state that the commissioner, in collaboration with the mental health
commissioner, must ensure that mental health counseling is available to
all correction officers and civilian staff working in correctional
facilities.
Section 2: Sets effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Employees in New York State correctional facilities face immense daily
challenges that take a serious toll on their mental health. They regu-
larly put themselves at physical, emotional, and psychological risk-of-
ten working far beyond their scheduled hours. To truly support correc-
tional officers and civilian staff, the state must prioritize mental
health on par with physical health. Investing in accessible mental
health counseling not only benefits these employees, but also strength-
ens the entire corrections system, positively affecting the prison popu-
lation and institutional outcomes. If we expect the best from those
performing this demanding yet essential work, the state must rise to the
occasion and provide the resources they need to thrive.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.