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Bill

Bill

A 3799

Relates to the use of body imaging scanning equipment in local correctional facilities

2025 Regular Session Introduced by David Weprin

Establishes regulatory standards for millimeter wave body scanners in New York county and city jails to balance security needs with inmate privacy protections.

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Bill Summary · A 3799

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 3799 would regulate the use of body imaging scanning equipment (such as millimeter wave scanners) in New York's local correctional facilities. The bill establishes standards for when and how these technologies can be deployed in jails and detention centers operated by counties and cities.

Why is this important

Body imaging scanners represent an escalation in surveillance technology within correctional facilities, raising questions about inmate privacy, health, and constitutional protections. The bill addresses a practical gap: while these devices are used in some facilities, there are currently minimal statutory guidelines governing their implementation, creating potential for inconsistent or problematic use across the state's diverse jail system.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy and dignity concerns: Critics argue full-body imaging technology constitutes an invasive search that may violate inmates' constitutional protections against unreasonable searches, particularly regarding vulnerable populations
  • Health and safety standards: Questions about radiation exposure (if ionizing scanners), accuracy rates, and whether alternative detection methods are less invasive but equally effective
  • Implementation costs vs. security benefits: Debate over whether the equipment's expense is justified by incremental security gains compared to existing detection methods like metal detectors and pat-downs
  • Inconsistent enforcement: Lack of clarity on who authorizes use, what triggers deployment, and whether standards would be uniformly applied across all local facilities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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