Sen. Julia Salazar

The bill addresses accountability and transparency in state prisons, responds to the crisis of deaths in custody and murders by corrections staff, and expands oversight through increased State Commission of Correction membership and data reporting requirements. The bill includes provisions from 10 previously pending pieces of legislation and has received support from the Public Employees Federation.

The bill does not pose a threat to public safety and actually improves outcomes by maintaining family connections, which reduces recidivism and improves inmate morale and behavior. The bill includes a safety caveat preventing calls if they pose unacceptable risk, and does not require notification of the destination facility, so there is no reason to suspect safety concerns.

The CARE Act addresses a critical gap in care for incarcerated pregnant and postpartum individuals and their infants. Current lack of prenatal care increases infant mortality and premature births, and unnecessary separation of mothers and babies causes harm to both parent health and child development.

The bill ensures formerly incarcerated individuals released into community supervision receive disclosure of debit card fees and charges, removing an obstacle to successful reintegration and providing them with tools needed to resume normal life.

The bill increases SCOC commissioners from three to nine and requires diverse expertise including criminal defense and public health. She argued this expansion is necessary to provide proper oversight of state prisons and prevent deaths like those of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi, which she characterized as preventable.

Salazar argued that crime victims face overwhelming financial hardship from various expenses and that the current $2,500 cap on property reimbursement is inadequate and arbitrary. She stated the bill clarifies what constitutes necessary and essential property while increasing compensation limits to help survivors recover and rebuild their lives.

The bill creates an independent reporting mechanism required by PREA, allowing incarcerated individuals to anonymously report sexual violence to an entity outside DOCCS. Incarcerated people lack the liberty to contact State Police like corrections officers can, making this mechanism essential for compliance with federal law and accountability.

As sponsor, defended the bill's provisions on corrections, noting the state's CO-to-inmate ratio is better than 30 other states. Explained that HALT reform and contraband provisions were not included because they were not accepted by the Executive. Clarified that prison closures require 90-day notice and reporting to Legislature.

The bill removes unnecessary barriers for individuals with criminal records seeking professional licenses by providing a low-cost preliminary application process to determine eligibility in advance, promoting fairness, accountability, and second chances while addressing systemic inequality.

The bill is critically important for ensuring homeowners at risk of foreclosure receive clear notice when lenders initiate legal action. Extra content in required notices can dilute the message and cause homeowners to disregard the urgency, so this bill protects them from being misled.

The bill improves access to services for victims and survivors, clarifies ambiguous law, prevents harm including domestic violence, and empowers victims and survivors to heal from their experiences.

Argued that a DOJ investigation uncovered serious abuses in OCFS facilities including violence, broken bones, and concussions, demonstrating need for additional independent oversight. Stated the bill's three-pronged approach would authorize the Correctional Association to monitor facilities and Prisoners' Legal Services to establish a juvenile justice unit to legally represent children and investigate complaints.

Collaborated with Sen. Murray on the legislation (referenced by Murray but did not speak in the transcript).

Cited peer-reviewed research showing solitary confinement increases suicide and overdose risk, particularly for individuals with mental health conditions. Argued the bill corrects DOCCS's narrow definition of mental illness that excludes vulnerable populations from protective programs and could save lives.

Defended good-cause eviction as necessary tenant protection, noting it does not invalidate existing leases but provides protections against unjust evictions and unreasonable rent increases. Emphasized the law marks the most substantial expansion of tenant rights in 50 years.

As sponsor, emphasized the bill's safety carve-outs allowing superintendents to deny calls when there is unreasonable risk, and highlighted the unnecessary pain caused to families by lack of notification.

Sponsor argued the bill addresses a critical gap for incarcerated individuals who lack safe reporting mechanisms, noting that DOCCS employees already have access to inspector general reporting and that extending the bill would be redundant.

The current OSI-only investigation process is fundamentally flawed, with survivors uncomfortable reporting to former law enforcement officers and only 2.5% of complaints substantiated in 2019. The bill empowers the Inspector General to investigate and allows anonymous reporting to protect victims from retaliation.

The bill addresses unnecessary hardship caused by transfer procedures that prevent incarcerated individuals from notifying families. It would allow pre-transfer phone calls and require electronic notice to next of kin, relieving stress and making facility transitions smoother.

The bill makes a simple but impactful change to expand victim compensation eligibility by broadening the definition of "welfare" in the law, allowing crime victims and survivors meaningful access to reimbursement for property damage, loss, or theft resulting from crimes.

Argued there is no justification for naming minors in eviction documents and that evictions are deeply traumatic and disruptive for families and children.

Argued that temporary release programs are essential for rehabilitation and reentry, strengthening family ties and providing employment and housing skills. She emphasized that participation rates are critically low and that DOCCS data collection is needed to identify barriers and increase program access.

The bill sponsor emphasized that suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24 in New York City, with one in three transgender youth having seriously contemplated suicide and two in five having attempted it, framing the task force as New York's response to bigotry and harmful laws targeting trans youth nationwide.

E-bikes reduce fossil fuel emissions, decrease traffic congestion, and provide accessibility benefits for people with disabilities. The rebate addresses financial barriers to safe transportation and data shows e-bikes are safer than motorcycles, with Jersey City achieving zero traffic deaths partly due to increased bike usage.

The amendment's inclusive protections regarding gender identity, reproductive autonomy, pregnancy outcomes and abortion access are urgently needed in the current moment.