Provides voice communication service to incarcerated people at no cost; repealer

Latest action Mar 19, 2026

Relates to providing voice communication services to incarcerated individuals in state correctional facilities at no cost.

Not chosen yet

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

New York State Senate

Same as A10646, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Correction Law.

Committee

Correction · New York State Assembly

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

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

To eliminate the cost of phone calls of incarcerated individuals in state facilities when calling family and friends living in the United States.

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

Recorded votes

Vote: Committee vote · Crime Victims, Crime And Correction
Senate Crime Victims, Crime And CorrectionFeb 25, 2025Result: passed
(7) (0) (0) (0)

The sponsor's argument

Why Jamaal Bailey says this is needed

Most incarcerated New Yorkers have low low-incomes and are unable to pay to keep in touch with their families, friends, and clergy. The cost of daily calls can be a strain on a family's finances. Families should not have to choose between paying their utility or food bill and speaking to their loved one. Telephone calls allow parents and guardians to keep in touch with their children and help keep families intact after the incarcerated individual is released. It can be a critical lifeline for families and the incar- cerated person. In 2019, New York City made phone calls from its jails free. In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 crisis, DOCCS provided free calls for incarcer- ated people for a limited amount of time. These advancements demonstrate the practicality of this proposed legislation. Expanding the basic right of communication for inmates in the rest of the state will better prepare them for successful re-entry into their communities.

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.

Full history

Mar 19, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORRECTION
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CRIME VICTIMS, CRIME AND CORRECTION
NY Senate
Dec 8, 2025
Enacting Clause Stricken
ENACTING CLAUSE STRICKEN
NY Assembly
Feb 25, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
NY Senate
Feb 3, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CRIME VICTIMS, CRIME AND CORRECTION
NY Senate

Show full history (1 earlier event)

Jan 16, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORRECTION
NY Assembly

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 1, 2026. About our data

Read the record

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

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