Bill > S01050

This bill amends the New York Correction Law to require that incarcerated individuals be allowed to make at least one free phone call immediately prior to being transferred between correctional facilities, with an exception for "exceptional circumstances" that could create an unacceptable safety or security risk. If the pre-transfer phone call is not permitted due to these exceptional circumstances, the department must document the reason in a written record. Additionally, within 24 hours of arriving at the new facility, the incarcerated individual must still be allowed to make at least one personal phone call, again with the same safety and security exceptions. If security precautions prevent the individual from making the call, a staff member will be required to make a call to a person of the individual's choice, unless the individual declines. The bill updates existing language about transfers to include these new communication requirements, using gender-neutral terminology and providing more specific guidance about notification and communication during transfers. The law will take effect 30 days after it becomes official.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1050