S4071

The Senate passed S4071, sponsored by Sen. May, allowing state-constituted water and sewer authorities to manage stormwater in a 56-3 vote. The bill enables municipalities including New York City and Cayuga County to take proactive approaches to flooding through green infrastructure and water diversion methods as severe storm events increase pressure on wastewater management systems. Sen. May noted the bill would help rural communities and other municipalities better manage stormwater before it becomes a crisis. The measure passed with only three senators voting in opposition: Rhoads, Walczyk, and Weik.

The New York State Senate passed legislation Wednesday that would require the Department of Corrections to allow incarcerated individuals to make a phone call to family members prior to transfer and to notify their next of kin electronically of the move. Senate Print 4071, sponsored by Sen. Salazar, passed 43-18 on a roll call vote. The bill includes exceptions allowing facility superintendents to deny calls when doing so would create an unacceptable risk to the safety and security of incarcerated individuals or staff. Supporters argued the measure addresses a significant hardship for families who travel long distances to visit incarcerated relatives only to discover they have been transferred without notice. Sen. Cleare described families in her district incurring substantial costs and time traveling hours to facilities, only to learn their loved ones had been moved days earlier. Sen. Krueger cited research showing that incarcerated individuals who maintain family relationships have better outcomes and lower recidivism rates upon release. Opponents raised public safety concerns, arguing that prisoner transport is the most vulnerable time for corrections officers and that allowing pre-transfer calls could enable inmates to signal their location and routes to outside parties. Sen. Stec criticized what he characterized as an erosion of public safety priorities, while Sen. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick questioned whether the bill was supported by data demonstrating a need for the change. The bill takes effect 30 days after becoming law.

The New York State Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Salazar that would allow incarcerated individuals to contact family members immediately before being transferred to different correctional facilities. The bill, S4071, passed on a 42-19 vote. Under current Department of Corrections and Community Supervision practice, inmates are locked down for security reasons before transfers and cannot notify loved ones of their relocation, resulting in families traveling to facilities only to discover the inmate has been moved. The legislation would require electronic notice of transfers be sent to next of kin and permit pre-transfer phone calls. Sen. Salazar argued the measure would eliminate unnecessary stress and financial hardship for families while smoothing facility transitions. Nineteen senators voted against the bill, including Ashby, Borrello, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Martins, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber, and Weik. The bill takes effect 30 days after becoming law.