Requires the New York city department of corrections and the New York city health and hospitals corporation to adopt safety policies to protect health care workers who treat incarcerated individuals

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Jackson and 1 co-sponsor

Bill S 5803 mandates safety policies for health care workers in NYC's correctional facilities, enhancing their protection and potentially improving care for incarcerated individuals.

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

Summary of Bill S 5803

Bill Number: S 5803
Title: Requires the New York City Department of Corrections and the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation to Adopt Safety Policies to Protect Health Care Workers Who Treat Incarcerated Individuals
Status: Reported and Committed to Finance
Introduced: March 03, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 5803 aims to enhance the safety and protection of health care workers who provide medical care to incarcerated individuals in New York City. The legislation recognizes the unique challenges and risks faced by these professionals in correctional facilities and seeks to establish comprehensive safety policies to mitigate these risks.

Key Provisions

Safety Policies Requirement: The bill mandates that both the New York City Department of Corrections and the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation develop and implement specific safety policies designed to protect health care workers from potential harm while treating incarcerated individuals.

Training and Resources: The legislation may include provisions for training health care workers on safety protocols and providing necessary resources to ensure a secure working environment.

Monitoring and Compliance: The bill may establish mechanisms for monitoring the effectiveness of the safety policies and ensuring compliance by the relevant departments.

Who Would Be Affected

Health Care Workers: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are health care professionals working in correctional facilities, including doctors, nurses, and mental health providers, who face increased risks while performing their duties.

Incarcerated Individuals: While the bill focuses on the safety of health care workers, it indirectly impacts incarcerated individuals by potentially improving the quality of care they receive through a safer working environment for health care providers.

New York City Departments: The New York City Department of Corrections and the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation will be responsible for implementing the required safety policies.

Procedural Aspects

Legislative Timeline:

Introduced: March 03, 2025
Referred to Cities 1: March 03, 2025
Reported and Committed to Finance: April 29, 2025

Related Bills: This bill is related to prior-session bills S 9366 and S 5171, as well as companion bill A 187, which may address similar issues regarding health care in correctional settings.

Conclusion

Bill S 5803 represents a significant step toward ensuring the safety of health care workers in New York City's correctional facilities. By establishing necessary safety policies, the bill aims to create a more secure environment for both health care professionals and the incarcerated individuals they serve. The ongoing legislative process will determine the final form and implementation of these provisions.