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NY A05428
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/14/2025
Primary Sponsor
Carrie Woerner
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AI Summary
- Creates an ombudsperson position within the Commission of Correction to handle complaints and grievances about conditions in local jails outside New York City
- Requires the ombudsperson to be a licensed New York attorney, appointed by the commission chair and removable only for cause by the governor
- Grants the ombudsperson authority to enter any local correctional facility at any time without prior notice, access all records including medical files and video recordings, and interview any employee
- Protects communications between incarcerated individuals and the ombudsperson by treating mail as legal mail, providing toll-free private phone calls that cannot be recorded, and prohibiting disclosure of identifying information without consent
- Requires sheriffs to respond in writing to ombudsperson recommendations within 45 days, with failure to respond deemed agreement with the recommendations
- Mandates monthly reports to commission leadership and at least annual public reports to the governor, legislature, and public, posted online and distributed to jail libraries
Legislative Description
Establishes an ombudsperson for local correctional facilities to receive, investigate and propose resolutions for complaints and grievances concerning the conditions of confinement for individuals currently or formerly incarcerated in local correctional facilities located outside of a city with a population of one million or more.
Last Action
referred to correction
1/7/2026
Committee Referrals
Correction2/14/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available