New York Assembly Bill A06640

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/6/25
• Refer: 3/6/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Enacts the "correctional abuse accountability act"; requires actions by the department if a correctional officer seriously harms or is responsible for the death of an incarcerated individual.

Summary

A06640, titled the "correctional abuse accountability act," would amend the New York Correction Law to impose new employment consequences on correctional officers involved in serious harm or death of an incarcerated individual. If an officer is involved in the serious injury, harm, or other maltreatment of an incarcerated person, the officer must be immediately removed from direct contact with incarcerated individuals and reassigned to a different position within the department. The bill also creates a separate rule for cases involving homicide. If a correctional officer is charged with involvement in the homicide of an incarcerated individual, the officer must be placed on leave during the department’s investigation. If the officer is ultimately found to have been involved, the officer’s employment must be terminated immediately. The bill states that these employment actions do not prevent or delay civil or criminal proceedings against the officer.

Impact

The bill would add a new subdivision to section 137 of the Correction Law, creating mandatory departmental responses for correctional officers implicated in serious abuse or homicide of incarcerated individuals. It would require reassignment away from inmate contact, leave during homicide investigations, and termination upon a finding of involvement, while preserving the ability to pursue civil or criminal liability regardless of the department’s internal process. The measure would directly affect the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and correctional officers statewide by establishing a stricter accountability framework.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee discussion or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a correctional accountability and inmate protection proposal. Its stated purpose suggests support from those concerned about abuse in correctional facilities and opposition from those wary of mandatory personnel actions before investigations are complete. Because no transcripts or vote history are provided, there is no documented legislative sentiment beyond the bill’s clear intent to respond to serious misconduct by correctional staff.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the bill’s mandatory removal and leave provisions, especially the requirement to reassign an officer immediately upon involvement in serious harm and to place an officer on leave upon being charged with homicide. Supporters would likely view these as necessary safeguards to protect incarcerated individuals and preserve public trust, while critics may argue that the bill could impose consequences before allegations are fully adjudicated or could interfere with due process and labor protections. The bill’s explicit statement that internal department action does not shield an officer from civil or criminal liability also underscores its accountability focus.