What's happening
This bill requires New York correctional facilities to have at least two staff present during any strip search and to establish related regulations.
Why it matters
Requires at least two staff members to be present during any strip search, potentially increasing safety and accountability for both incarcerated individuals and staff.
Mandates the creation of official rules and procedures for strip searches, which could lead to more consistent practices and reduce the risk of abuse or misconduct.
May help protect against false allegations or disputes by ensuring witnesses are present during sensitive searches, potentially reducing legal risks for correctional facilities.
Signals increased oversight and transparency in correctional facilities, which could influence broader prison reform efforts and impact the daily operations of staff and the experiences of incarcerated people.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Set Strip Search Rules
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
- Referred to crime victims, crime and 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.
Set Strip Search Rules
In Assembly Committee · Correction · Sponsor Eddie Gibbs
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
575
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. SALAZAR -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to rules and regulations for strip searches in correctional facilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 45 of the correction law is amended by adding a new subdivision 20 to read as follows:
20. Promulgate rules and regulations establishing standard practices and procedures for the use of strip searches in correctional facilities. Such rules and regulations shall at a minimum include a requirement that no fewer than two staff members shall be present for any strip search.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00832-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to rules and regulations for strip searches in correctional facilities
Purpose or general idea of bill
Provides for rules and regulations for strip searches in correctional facilities.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 Amends Correction Law Section 45 to create a new subdivision 20 requiring the State Commission of Correction to promulgate rules and regulations for standard procedures for the use of strip searches in a correctional facility and states that no fewer than two staff members shall be present for any strip search.
Section 2 sets the effective date 90 days after it shall have become law and provides, effective immediately, all regulatory changes necessary for the implementation of this act on the effective date are authorized to be made and completed by such date.
Justification
To prevent misconduct caused by staff in performing a strip search and to protect the safety and rights of incarcerated individuals.
Senate
2024 - S 9350 (Salazar) Referred to Crime Victims, Crime & Correction, reported, passed Senate (56 - 1), vetoed, memo 111.
Assembly
2024 A 4904 (Gibbs) Referred to Correction, reported and referred to rules, passed Assembly (137 - 0), vetoed, memo 111.
2023 A4904 (Gibbs) Referred to Correction.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To Be Determined
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.