Requires adequate staffing at correctional facilities

Title of bill

An act to amend the correction law, in relation to adequate staffing at correctional facilities

Purpose

To ensure adequate staffing at correctional facilities

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends § 112 of the Correction Law, to require the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections to ensure adequate staffing exists at every correctional facility pursuant to subdivision two of this section. Subdivision 2 of establishes a staffing plan for all uniformed and non-uniformed staff and establishes the number of necessary security posts, administrative, programmatic and other positions within the department's correctional facilities and administrative offices. This legislation also requires the Commissioner to provide a copy of the staffing plan to the Chairs of the Senate Finance, Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections, Assembly Ways and Means and Assembly Correction Committees by December 31 of each year. In the event the Department deviates from the staffing plan, the Commissioner shall provide details on why the staffing plan was not implemented as required by this legislation.

Section 2 provides the effective date.

Justification

Current law allows the Commissioner to establish staffing protocols according to his general powers and duties to manage correctional facilities. This bill would instead provide specific statutory staffing plan requirements.

Legislative history

2011-2012: A.1792; 2013-2014: S.4966/A.4590

Fiscal implications

This bill will result in savings to the State.

Effective date

This law shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.