New York Assembly Bill A06136

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/26/25
• Refer: 2/26/25
• Refer: 1/7/26
• Report Pass: 3/17/26
• Refer: 3/17/26

Caption

Relates to the transfer of incarcerated individuals from a county jail to a state correctional institution when such county jail becomes unsafe for the confinement of incarcerated individuals due to extraordinary circumstances.

Impact

If enacted, A06136 will provide clear protocols for managing situations in which county jails are unfit for housing incarcerated individuals, which may enhance public safety and welfare. It intends to ensure that incarcerated individuals are confined in safe and secure environments and outlines how the Department of Corrections can operate under such extraordinary circumstances. The bill also stipulates that the state will manage the transfer process, thereby centralizing authority within the Department of Corrections in instances where county facilities are inadequate.

Summary

Bill A06136 seeks to amend the correction law of New York regarding the transfer of incarcerated individuals from county jails to state correctional institutions. The bill allows for such transfers when a county jail becomes unfit or unsafe for confinement due to extraordinary circumstances, including natural disasters or structural deficiencies. This measure empowers the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to temporarily utilize state correctional facilities for housing individuals from county jails for a maximum of thirty days. If the conditions at the county jail persist beyond this duration, the bill permits extensions for additional thirty-day periods, contingent upon further approval from the state commission of correction.

Contention

Discussion around the bill may raise concerns related to the adequacy and efficacy of state correctional facilities as alternatives to county jails. Stakeholders could debate whether this approach reduces local accountability for the care and management of incarcerated individuals or whether it is necessary for ensuring public safety. There is also potential contention regarding costs associated with the transfer process, as the bill allows for decisions on whether counties need to reimburse the state for costs of confinement, a point that could lead to discussions around budgeting and resource allocation in corrections.