Bill > S07657

This bill establishes a comprehensive bill of rights for family members and visitors of incarcerated individuals, creating new protections and oversight mechanisms within the correction law. The bill requires correctional facilities to treat visitors with fairness and respect, prohibits discrimination against them, and guarantees their right to communicate with incarcerated individuals through phone calls, visits, and letters without unnecessary barriers. Visitors are entitled to consistent, transparent visitation policies, and staff must provide specific explanations for any denied requests within 24 hours. The bill also mandates that care packages be presumed permissible unless a specific security risk is documented, and requires facilities to reimburse visitors for expenses if a scheduled visit is cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice. Critically, the legislation establishes an independent Office for Visitation Oversight to monitor implementation, receive complaints, and ensure compliance. Visitors who believe their rights have been violated can file a complaint with this office, which must investigate and respond within 30 days. Facilities found in violation may be required to take corrective actions such as staff training, implementing disciplinary measures, or revising policies. The bill will take effect 90 days after becoming law, providing a clear timeline for implementation and ensuring that correctional facilities adapt to these new visitor rights and protections.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7657