S429

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday authorizing the State Inspector General to receive and investigate confidential complaints of sexual assault in Department of Corrections facilities, bringing the state into compliance with federal Prison Rape Elimination Act requirements. The bill (S429) passed 53-4, with four Republicans voting against it. Sponsor Sen. Salazar argued the measure addresses a critical gap in protections for incarcerated individuals who lack the liberty to report crimes to outside authorities like corrections officers can. She cited data showing over 1,550 cases were filed under the Adult Survivors Act by formerly incarcerated individuals alleging sexual abuse in state prisons, with 75 percent reporting sexual violence by correction officers and two-thirds facing retaliation when reporting. However, the bill drew criticism from Sen. Stec and Sen. Helming, who argued it should also protect corrections officers and civilian staff experiencing sexual assaults. Sen. Stec noted that since implementation of the HALT Act, inmate-on-staff assaults have doubled and the state is spending $100 million monthly on National Guard personnel instead of rehiring corrections officers. An amendment to increase penalties for sexual assaults against corrections officers was ruled nongermane and defeated on appeal. Sen. Helming voted against the bill, citing testimony from female corrections officers at a May 2023 bipartisan press conference about trauma they and their families experienced.