BILL NUMBER: S9413
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to providing body-worn
cameras to certain individuals visiting correctional facilities
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill requires the Department of Corrections & Community Supervision
(DOCCS) to provide body-worn camera (BWC) to officials during visits to
correctional facilities
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Subdivision 1 of section 146 of the correction law to
add the requirement that officials visiting a correctional facility
under this law shall be provided a body-worn camera (BWC) and instruc-
tion on how to operate the camera. The section also requires DOCCS tran-
smit the footage captured to the official, or their designee, within 24
hours of the visit.
Section 2 sets the effective date on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law.
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
N/A
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Certain state and religious officials are granted the authority to
conduct unannounced visits of DOCCS Correctional Facilities by virtue of
this section of the corrections law. Such officials still must observe
facility rules, including not bringing electronic devices into the
facility. This bill seeks to strike a middle ground by requiring DOCCS
provide its BWCs that are already being used in the facilities to offi-
cials for use during their visit. The official would return the BWC to
the facility at the conclusion of their visit and DOCCS would send any
video captured to the official, or their designee, within 24 hours.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
N/A
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.

Statutes affected:
S9413: 146 correction law, 146(1) correction law