New York Senate Bill S03885

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/25
• Refer: 1/30/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Prohibits segregated confinement of children in a detention facility; defines segregated confinement.

Summary

S03885, titled the "keep kids out of solitary confinement act," would prohibit the use of segregated confinement for children in detention facilities in New York. The bill amends the Family Court Act and the Executive Law to bar detention facilities from placing a child in segregated confinement for any length of time, whether the child is detained under the Family Court Act or the Criminal Procedure Law. The bill defines "segregated confinement" as cell confinement for more than 17 hours per day, except during a facility-wide emergency or when used to provide medical or mental health treatment. It also preserves a narrow exception for room confinement authorized by Office of Children and Family Services regulations when a child poses a serious and evident danger to themself or others. The measure takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Impact

The bill would change state law by adding explicit statutory limits on how juvenile detention facilities may isolate children, creating a clear prohibition on segregated confinement in both family court and criminal justice detention settings. It would amend provisions in the Family Court Act and Executive Law that govern detention facilities and their treatment of children, and it would apply to facilities certified under those laws. The practical effect would be to restrict disciplinary and safety practices in juvenile detention centers and align facility operations with a stricter standard for youth confinement.

Sentiment

The available record shows no committee transcript or vote history, so there is no documented floor debate or recorded vote sentiment to assess. Based on the bill text and title, the measure appears to be framed as a child-welfare and juvenile justice reform intended to reduce harmful isolation practices for detained youth. The absence of recorded opposition or support in the provided materials means the overall legislative sentiment cannot be determined from the available history.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the balance between protecting children from harmful isolation and preserving detention facility authority to manage safety and discipline. The bill allows a limited exception for emergency situations, medical or mental health treatment, and OCFS-authorized room confinement when a child poses a serious and evident danger to themself or others, which suggests debate may center on how narrow that exception should be. Stakeholders most likely to have differing views include child advocates, juvenile justice reform groups, detention facility operators, and state agencies responsible for facility regulation and youth safety.