NY A02500

Redefines "segregated confinement" as cell confinement exceeding 17 hours per day (excluding facility-wide emergencies or medical/mental health treatment) and creates "residential rehabilitation units" as therapeutic alternatives for inmates requiring extended confinement.

Prohibits placement of "special populations" (persons age 21 or younger, age 55 or older, with disabilities, or pregnant/postpartum) in segregated confinement except pre-hearing keeplock, with mandatory 7 hours daily out-of-cell time or transfer within 48 hours.

Establishes strict limits on segregated confinement: maximum 3 consecutive days or 6 days per 30-day period for standard rule violations; longer confinement only for serious acts (violence, sexual assault, extortion, escape, riots) with written commissioner approval and mental health involvement.

Requires inmates with serious mental illness to be diverted to residential mental health treatment units instead of segregated confinement, with assessments within 7 days and mandatory removal within 72 hours of determination.

Mandates residential rehabilitation units provide minimum 6 hours daily out-of-cell programming, individualized treatment plans, trauma-informed care, discharge reviews every 60 days, and staff training of 37.5 hours initially plus 21 hours annually; requires department to publish monthly reports on segregated confinement and rehabilitation unit populations.