Authorizes the use of body imaging scanning equipment in local correctional facilities for the screening of visitors and staff in addition to incarcerated individuals.
This bill amends the Public Health Law to expressly authorize the use of body imaging scanning equipment in local correctional facilities, not just state correctional facilities, for screening people detained in, committed to, visiting, or employed at those facilities. The bill also updates the law to reflect that such scanning may be used as part of a facility’s security program and requires that its use comply with regulations issued by the relevant health and corrections authorities, including the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for local facilities in New York City.
The bill further requires regulations to address when body scanners may be used, including for intake, before and after work shifts, before and after visits, and when contraband is suspected. It also requires reporting on how often the equipment is used and the exposure levels involved. The measure preserves the ability of individuals to choose alternative screening methods for medical reasons or other reasons, unless security concerns justify otherwise, and bars harassment, intimidation, or discipline for choosing an alternative search method.
The bill would expand existing body-scanner authority in Public Health Law section 3502 to explicitly cover local correctional facilities and their visitors and employees, aligning local jail practices with state facility rules. It would also broaden the required reporting categories for local facilities and reinforce regulatory oversight by the State Commission of Correction, DOCCS, the Department of Health, and, in New York City, the city health department. Affected parties include incarcerated people, jail visitors, correctional staff, local jail administrators, and the agencies responsible for setting and enforcing screening rules.
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a security and operational update rather than a controversial policy overhaul. Its stated purpose is to standardize and authorize body imaging screening in local jails while preserving alternative screening options and protections against retaliation. The overall tone of the bill is procedural and regulatory, with an emphasis on safety, compliance, and reporting.
The main points of potential contention are the expansion of ionizing body-scanner use in local correctional facilities and the privacy, health, and civil liberties concerns that can accompany such screening. The bill tries to address those concerns by requiring alternative screening methods for medical reasons and, in many cases, for other reasons as well, and by prohibiting harassment or discipline for choosing an alternative. Another possible point of debate is the balance between facility security needs and employee rights, since the bill specifically states that an employee’s request for alternative screening cannot itself be grounds for discipline.