Relates to authorizing body scanner utilization in certain facilities under the office of children and family services

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic9
• Republican7

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why James Skoufis says this is needed

Recently, both State and locally-operated juvenile justice programs have seen significant increases in incidents of dangerous contraband. Despite staff training on contraband detection; routine searches of staff belongings and areas; youth transport and intake searches; mail checks; visitor entrance screenings; use of wands; metal detectors; and body orifice security scanner (B.O.S.S.) chairs; personal, unit, and room searches; and engaging local law enforcement to assist in contra- band detection, dangerous contraband continues to find its way into juvenile justice programs. This contraband poses a significant risk to both youth and staff safety. Over the past few years, the population in both detention and placement facilities has significantly increased, with staffing unable to keep pace. The lower staff-to-youth ratios create an increased risk of contraband entering and remaining in facilities undetected. In the same time period, both OCFS and locally-operated programs have seen increases in incidents involving dangerous contraband, including weapons, drugs, and cellular telephones. Some dangerous contraband can only be intro- duced to a facility if staff facilitate its entry. There have been several recent staff arrests at OCFS and locally-operated programs resulting from staff introducing contraband to facilities for youth. Juvenile justice programs are required to maintain the health and safety of facility programs and need to employ a targeted and consistent inter- vention. The utilization of radiological searches would assist in reduc- ing the amount of dangerous contraband entering facilities and deter both youth and staff from attempting to introduce it. Currently, radiological searches must be conducted by a trained medical professional in a medical office and with medical authorization. The issue demands the use of a flexible technology with real-time, in-pro- gram, immediate impact.Under current law, only local correctional facil- ities and DOCCS facilities may use body imaging scanning equipment to screen people for contraband without a medical purpose. This bill would allow locally operated juvenile detention facilities certified by OCFS and State juvenile justice facilities operated by OCFS to utilize body scanning technology to screen for contraband. This would reduce the need for more invasive physical searches and enhance safety for both staff and youth who are detained or committed. Moreover, advancements in body scanning technology expose individuals to a minimal amount of radiation while still accomplishing contraband detection goals.

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.