New York Assembly Bill A02506

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/25
• Refer: 1/17/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Relates to addiction counseling services for incarcerated individuals.

Summary

A02506 would require the commissioner of corrections, working with the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, to create an addiction counseling program in state correctional facilities for incarcerated individuals with a substance use disorder. After a medical screening identifies a substance use disorder, the individual must be offered placement in the program, but participation would be voluntary. Each participant would work with an authorized specialist to develop an individualized treatment plan and determine the appropriate level of counseling. The bill also directs the Board of Correction to establish standards and guidelines for a comparable addiction counseling program in county jails and county correctional facilities. In effect, the measure creates a statewide framework for offering substance use treatment services in custody settings, while leaving the details of program design and implementation to correctional and addiction-services officials.

Impact

The bill would amend the Correction Law by adding a new section requiring addiction counseling services in state prisons and by expanding the Board of Correction’s authority to set standards for similar services in county facilities. It would not mandate treatment participation, but it would create an affirmative obligation for correctional systems to offer counseling to incarcerated individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder. The measure would affect the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, county jails, county correctional facilities, and incarcerated individuals who may be eligible for voluntary treatment.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no documented debate or recorded vote to indicate broader legislative sentiment. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears framed as a public-health and rehabilitation initiative rather than a punitive correctional policy, with an emphasis on voluntary treatment and individualized care. The absence of recorded opposition or support in the provided materials means sentiment cannot be assessed beyond the bill’s stated rehabilitative purpose.

Contention

The main policy issue is likely whether correctional facilities should be required to provide addiction counseling programs and how those programs should be funded, staffed, and administered. Another potential point of contention is the bill’s extension of standards to county jails and county correctional facilities, which may raise concerns about local implementation burdens and resource availability. Because participation is voluntary, there may also be discussion about whether the program is sufficiently robust to address substance use disorder among incarcerated individuals or whether it should include stronger treatment requirements.