All Roll Calls
Yes: 143 • No: 78
New YorkS 84152025-2026 Regular SessionSenate
Enacts into law components of legislation necessary to implement an omnibus bill related to correctional services in the state of New York
Sponsored By: Julia Salazar (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
RULESWAYS AND MEANS
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More time to sue over custody injuries
People injured in covered New York institutions can sue for damages within three years after release from custody. This covers physical, psychological, and other injuries or conditions suffered in the institution’s care, custody, or supervision. Covered institutions include the state corrections department and legally defined hospitals, state and local correctional facilities, and alternate correctional facilities. Contrary time limits, notice-of-claim rules, and specified municipal and Court of Claims filing requirements do not apply. This exception does not apply to people under community supervision and does not guarantee a damages award.
Families get updates after custody deaths
The corrections department must promptly notify next of kin and named representatives using the person’s emergency-contact information. It must share death circumstances, medical procedures, and preliminary and final autopsy findings as they become available. A public death notice must appear on its website within 24 hours after those notifications. Beginning with autopsies conducted on the 90th day after enactment, covered reports must include all body photos, microscopic slides, and post-mortem X-rays taken or reviewed. County custody-death autopsies and reports must be completed promptly, with autopsy, toxicology, and related reports sent to the Correction Medical Review Board chair, corrections commissioner, and Justice Center executive director.
Faster evidence sharing after custody deaths
State and local correctional agencies must send relevant, unredacted death footage to the Attorney General’s special investigation office within 72 hours. This covers fixed cameras, body cameras, handheld cameras, and other recordings inside facilities. The office identifies relevant footage, keeps it confidential, and decides public redactions under its published release policy. Disclosure delays require certification that release would compromise an ongoing criminal investigation or prosecution. A delay beyond 90 days requires additional certification.
More prison cameras and longer evidence storage
Covered facilities must maintain fixed cameras recording audio and video around the clock, regularly check coverage, and fix broken cameras and blind spots. Cell, shower, and toilet interiors need not be recorded, but cameras must capture entry and exit where interior coverage is absent. Facilities must keep footage at least one year, or five years for misconduct, rule violations, complaints, investigations, or legal proceedings. For complaint- or incident-related footage, the five years run from the complaint or incident; access requires a valid subpoena or court order. The state inspector general must publish annual audits and assess enforcement, including recommended penalties or fixes; the commissioner’s annual incident reports begin one year after the section takes effect.
More private access for prison watchdogs
The Correctional Association can visit state prisons with 24 hours’ notice, down from 72, and must submit visitor details annually for background checks. Lockdowns and facility-wide emergencies cannot stop visits, though access to an emergency area may be limited. With consent, incarcerated people and employees can meet privately with the Association without department attendance; state agencies cannot retaliate. The Association can send mission-related surveys without prior approval, receive free confidential calls and emails, or establish a confidential hotline. Incarcerated people can return surveys confidentially; physical mail is privileged subject to mail controls and postage allowances, except identical incoming blank surveys and questionnaires.
More voices on prison oversight commission
New York’s correction oversight commission grows from three members to nine. The governor appoints three; the Assembly speaker, Senate leader, and Correctional Association each appoint two. Membership must include a formerly incarcerated New York facility resident, public health and behavioral health professionals, and a qualified New York-licensed defense or prisoners’ rights lawyer. Members serve full time, cannot hold another salaried public position, choose a chair annually, and face removal for cause and a ten-year service limit. Initial Assembly, Senate, and Association appointees serve two-, three-, and four-year terms, respectively.
Regular prison inspections and watchdog records
The Correctional Association must inspect every state correctional facility at least once every five years, prioritizing systemic problems. It issues reports and recommendations to the governor, Legislature, and public. The commissioner may respond to a draft within 60 days with an action plan; any response enters the final report. The Association also gets quarterly access to records on admissions, populations, releases, parole, programs, deaths, incidents, discipline, grievances, appeals, and staffing. It may request and receive information needed for its oversight duties.
Separate prosecutors when state legal duties conflict
When criminal duties conflict or risk conflicting with defending state employees, the Attorney General can designate a deputy or assistant. Required screens keep prosecution and civil-defense information separate; formal screening rules take effect after 60 days, with interim executive-order procedures allowed. When the Attorney General and assistants are disqualified, the county’s superior criminal court can appoint an experienced special prosecutor. The Attorney General must give specific reasons; a county district attorney can serve only with that attorney’s consent. The appointee exercises Attorney General powers for the assigned matter or period, and the state pays judge-certified reasonable compensation and necessary costs.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Julia Salazar
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
committee vote • 6/12/2025
Rules Committee Vote
Yes: 14 • No: 6
Senate vote • 6/12/2025
FLOOR Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 23
House vote • 6/12/2025
Assembly floor vote
Yes: 93 • No: 49
Actions Timeline
APPROVAL MEMO.82
12/19/2025SenateSIGNED CHAP.707
12/19/2025SenateDELIVERED TO GOVERNOR
12/8/2025SenateRETURNED TO SENATE
6/12/2025HousePASSED ASSEMBLY
6/12/2025HouseORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.699
6/12/2025HouseSUBSTITUTED FOR A8871
6/12/2025HouseREFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
6/12/2025HouseDELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
6/12/2025SenatePASSED SENATE
6/12/2025SenateORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1949
6/12/2025SenateREFERRED TO RULES
6/9/2025Senate
Bill Text
Original
6/9/2025
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