Burgos, Epstein, Meeks, Gibbs, DeStefano, Colton, Hevesi, Glick, Taylor, Brown K
MLTSPNSR
Add 17, Cor L
Requires the department of corrections and community supervision within twenty-four hours of the attempted suicide or hospitalization of an incarcerated individual or any other individual occurring in the custody of the department, to notify the emergency contacts of such incarcerated individual or other such individual.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9678
SPONSOR: Dilan TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to requiring notifica-
tion of an incarcerated individual's emergency contacts when such incar-
cerated individual attempts suicide or is hospitalized
PURPOSE:
This bill would require the Department of Corrections and Community
Supervision (DOCCS) to notify emergency contacts when an individual in a
state correctional facility attempts suicide or is hospitalized.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 mandates the Department of Corrections and Community Super-
vision (DOCCS) to notify an incarcerated individual's emergency contacts
in the event of an attempted suicide or hospitalization.
Section 2 sets an effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
In 2019, New York state prisons recorded 18 suicides, the highest rate
since 2000 and 88% higher than the national prison average. This alarm-
ing statistic highlights the acute mental health challenges faced by
incarcerated individuals, exacerbated by factors like socioeconomic
struggles, substance abuse, and past traumas, further intensified by the
prison environment.
This legislation mandates that emergency contacts be promptly notified
when an individual in a state correctional facility attempts suicide or
is hospitalized. Prompt notification is important, as it allows families
to provide immediate and informed support, reducing stress and poten-
tially aiding in the recovery and well-being of those incarcerated.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it has become a
law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9678
IN ASSEMBLY
April 3, 2024
___________
Introduced by M. of A. DILAN -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to requiring notifica-
tion of an incarcerated individual's emergency contacts when such
incarcerated individual attempts suicide or is hospitalized
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The correction law is amended by adding a new section 17 to
2 read as follows:
3 § 17. Notice to emergency contacts. Within twenty-four hours of the
4 attempted suicide or hospitalization of an incarcerated individual or
5 any other individual occurring in the custody of the department, the
6 department shall notify the emergency contacts of such incarcerated
7 individual or other such individual.
8 § 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
9 have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14979-01-4
