Bill > S04160

This bill mandates that state agencies operating prisons, youth residential placements, and detention centers must provide free voice communication services to incarcerated individuals, with the goal of ensuring that both the person initiating and receiving the communication do not incur any charges. The bill requires these agencies to offer voice communication services without generating revenue from such services and explicitly prohibits using these communication services as a replacement for in-person visitation programs. Additionally, state agencies may supplement voice communication with other services like video communication or electronic messaging, but these must also be provided at no cost. The bill will take effect on April 1, 2026, applying to new or renewed communication service contracts, and ensures that any existing contracts will be phased out by March 31, 2026. By repealing and replacing section 623 of the correction law, this legislation aims to improve communication access for incarcerated individuals while maintaining the importance of in-person visits.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4160