Bill > A06164

This bill amends New York's correction law to establish new protections for in-person visitation rights of incarcerated individuals. Specifically, correctional facilities are prohibited from eliminating, prohibiting, or unreasonably limiting in-person visits, and cannot pressure inmates to reduce their visitation. The bill defines "unreasonably limiting" visitation as providing fewer than two in-person visit opportunities within a seven-day period. While facilities are allowed to use electronic communication methods like video calls, these cannot replace in-person visits and must be offered in addition to them. The law does allow for temporary suspension of visitation privileges for legitimate reasons such as inmate misbehavior or during emergencies, as determined by the department. The bill will take effect 30 days after becoming law, with provisions for immediate preparation of necessary implementation rules and regulations. The goal appears to be ensuring that incarcerated individuals maintain meaningful personal connections with their families and support networks through regular in-person interactions.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6164