Prohibits any police officer, peace officer or employee of a correctional facility from interfering with the provision of medical assistance to an incarcerated individual.
Summary
Bill A05359 seeks to amend the executive law to explicitly prohibit police officers, peace officers, and employees of correctional facilities from interfering with the provision of medical assistance to incarcerated individuals. The bill establishes that any such interference would constitute a class E felony, thereby imposing legal consequences on those who violate this provision. This legislation aims to ensure that incarcerated individuals receive necessary medical care without obstruction from law enforcement or correctional staff.
Impact
If enacted, this bill would create a new legal framework that protects the medical rights of incarcerated individuals in New York. It would amend existing laws to include specific penalties for interference with medical assistance, thus reinforcing the obligation of correctional facilities and law enforcement to facilitate healthcare access for inmates. This could lead to changes in policies and training within correctional facilities regarding the handling of medical requests from inmates.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding Bill A05359 appears to be cautiously supportive among advocates for incarcerated individuals' rights, as it addresses a significant gap in the provision of healthcare within the prison system. However, there may be concerns from law enforcement and correctional facility employees regarding the implications of the bill on their duties and responsibilities, which could lead to debates about the balance between security and healthcare access.
Contention
Notable points of contention may arise from law enforcement and correctional facility representatives who argue that the bill could hinder their ability to maintain order and security within facilities. They may express concerns about the potential for inmates to exploit medical requests as a means to disrupt operations. Conversely, advocates for incarcerated individuals argue that access to medical care is a fundamental right that should not be compromised by security concerns.
Same As
Prohibits any police officer, peace officer or employee of a correctional facility from interfering with the provision of medical assistance to an incarcerated individual.
Prohibits any police officer, peace officer or employee of a correctional facility from interfering with the provision of medical assistance to an incarcerated individual.
Establishes the offense of obstructing a police officer or peace officer as intentionally interfering with, inhibiting, or attempting to interfere or inhibit a police officer or peace officer from performing their lawful duties.
Requires every police officer, peace officer and employee of a correctional facility to intervene in incidents of violence involving incarcerated individuals.
Requires every police officer, peace officer and employee of a correctional facility to intervene in incidents of violence involving incarcerated individuals.
Prohibits county correction officers from dispensing medications to incarcerated individuals on the premises of a local correctional facility; provides that corrections officers or staff may dispense or administer medications during a medical emergency.
Establishes an independent office of chief medical examiner in the state commission of correction; requires that every death of an incarcerated individual in a correctional facility immediately be reported to the office of the chief medical examiner; establishes duties and responsibilities of the office; repeals certain provisions relating thereto.
Enacts the medical civil rights act; provides that persons in the custody or control of a law enforcement officer, police officer, peace officer, correctional officer, or other law enforcement representative or entity who are experiencing an emergency medical condition or is medically unstable have the right to be provided with emergency medical services and that such officers, representatives, and entities have a duty to provide such services; provides an exception to such duty to provide emergency medical services.
Establishes a digital legal mail program for the delivery of privileged correspondences to incarcerated individuals housed at correctional facilities; requires law offices sending legal mail via digital platforms to incarcerated individuals to register with the department of corrections.