What's happening
This bill prohibits county correction officers from administering injectable medications to inmates unless otherwise authorized.
Why it matters
Limits correction officers’ involvement in medical procedures. By restricting officers from administering injectable medications, the bill reinforces that only qualified healthcare professionals should perform such tasks, aiming to reduce risks associated with improper medication administration.
Addresses inmate safety and liability concerns. Preventing non-medical staff from giving injections could help decrease the chance of medical errors, accidental harm, or misuse, which are critical in the controlled environment of jails.
Clarifies roles within correctional facilities. The bill draws a clear boundary between security and healthcare functions, potentially improving job clarity for officers and ensuring inmates’ medical care is overseen by trained providers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Stop Guards Giving Needle Meds
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to correction
- Referred to correction
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Prohibits county correction officers from dispensing medication using syringes or needles in jail to inmates
In Senate Committee · Crime Victims, Crime And Correction · Sponsor Gustavo Rivera
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4320
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN, GOTTFRIED, TAYLOR -- read once and referred to the Committee on Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to prohibiting county correction officers from dispensing medication using syringes or needles in jails to inmates
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 505 of the correction law is amended by adding a new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
5. County correction officers in local correctional facilities shall not dispense or administer medication using hypodermic syringes or hypodermic needles to inmates on the premises of a local correctional facility as defined in subdivision sixteen of section two of this chapter, unless they are otherwise authorized to do so. This provision shall not apply to dispensing of pill-based medication to inmates.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08569-01-9
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.