What's happening
This bill requires correction officers to undergo psychological evaluations every two years and sets procedures for those found unfit for duty.
Why it matters
Regular mental health screenings may lead to earlier identification of psychological issues. among correction officers, potentially reducing incidents related to stress, trauma, or impaired judgment inside correctional facilities.
Officers found unfit for duty are placed on medical leave and subject to a structured process. including potential medication, rehabilitation, or even termination—helping ensure that only those mentally fit remain in these high-responsibility roles.
The bill overrides collective bargaining agreements if necessary. , meaning unions and management cannot opt out of these requirements—this signals a strong state commitment to prioritizing psychological fitness and public safety over contract negotiations.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Psychological Tests for Guards
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Held for consideration in correction
- Referred to correction
- Referred to correction
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7419
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 25, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. TITONE, RIVERA, HOOPER, RICHARDSON, ABINANTI, HYNDMAN, ORTIZ -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, MAGEE, SIMON -read once and referred to the Committee on Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to the psychological evaluation of correction officers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The correction law is amended by adding a new section 22-b to read as follows:
§ 22-b. Psychological evaluations. 1. Every person employed as a correction officer shall submit to a psychological screening on a biannual basis. Persons who have been determined by a psychologist licensed under the laws of this state as suffering from psychotic disorders, serious character disorders, or other disorders which could hinder performance on the job shall be deemed ineligible to continue working as a correction officer and shall be placed on medical leave.
2. The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of mental health, shall establish a process on how to proceed with a person who has been deemed psychologically ineligible to continue as a correction officer. Such process may include topics such as medication, rehabilitation, length of medical leave, or the termination of such person's employment with the department.
3. The requirements of this section shall be included in any collective bargaining agreement entered into, altered, or amended, on or after the effective date of this section. Failure to include this language in such agreements shall not negate the requirement of this section, but must be included as an appendix to such agreement or such agreement shall be deemed null and void as against public policy.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11016-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.