Senate bill · S10110 (2025-26)

Provides for an adverse inference in disciplinary proceedings against testimony of correction officers who disable cameras

New York State Senate

Same as A8745, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Latest action Jun 5, 2026

Sponsor: Cordell Cleare (State Senator, District 30, Democratic)

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From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 21, 2026. About our data

Summary

Provides for an adverse inference against the testimony of an officer or other employee of the department of corrections and community supervision, where such officer or other employee violated department rules or regulations by turning off a facility camera or body-worn camera or otherwise prevented such camera or cameras from recording the incident which is the subject of such disciplinary proceeding.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Correction Law.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

The purpose of this legislation is to require a prison disciplinary proceeding to draw an adverse inference against the testimony of a correction officer if that correction officer has violated DOCCS regu- lations by turning off a prison camera or body worn camera thereby preventing the camera(s) from recording video of an incident that has led to an incarcerated individual being charged with an offense.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

Committee

Correction · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Crime Victims, Crime And Correction · New York State Senate.

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The sponsor's argument

Why Cordell Cleare says this is needed

Current DOCCS policy and regulations requires all correction officers to have body-worn cameras (BWC) turned on and attached to the upper front torso of their uniform for the duration of their shift. This practice ensures accountability and safety for both correction officers and incarcerated individuals. Furthermore, BWC footage serves as a vital primary source for documenting incidents in correctional facilities that may lead to disciplinary action against incarcerated individuals. However, in current practice, we have seen instances where the testimony of correction officers is favored over that of incarcerated individuals, even when there is evidence of video obstruction by the officer. This has resulted in additional charges against the incarcerated individual. To address this, the proposed legislation requires the result of a pris- on disciplinary hearing to be based on an adverse inference against the testimony of any correctional officer who violates DOCCS regulations by turning off a prison camera or BWC, thereby preventing the recording of an incident. This restores accountability and justice in the correction- al system. Given the essential role of BWCs in situations like prison disciplinary proceedings and recognizing that turning off or obstructing a BWC is a willful act indicative of bad faith, the proposed legislation calls for an adverse inference against the officer's testimony in such cases. It holds officers accountable for violating DOCCS policies by turning off prison cameras or BWCs, thereby ensuring that incidents leading to charges against incarcerated individuals are justly handled.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Recorded votes

Vote: Committee vote · Crime Victims, Crime And Correction
Senate Crime Victims, Crime And CorrectionMay 20, 2026Result: passed
(7) (0) (0) (0)

Full history

Jun 5, 2026
In committee
COMMITTED TO RULES
NY Senate
May 26, 2026
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
May 21, 2026
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
May 20, 2026
1ST Report CAL.1302
1ST REPORT CAL.1302
NY Senate
Apr 30, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CRIME VICTIMS, CRIME AND CORRECTION
NY Senate

Show full history (2 earlier events)

Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORRECTION
NY Assembly
Jun 2, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORRECTION
NY Assembly

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.