A 8453: Directs the hiring of an independent investigator to investigate all 42 correctional facilities in the state to identify any negative policies and practices exiting as such correctional facilities.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 8453 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN ASSEMBLY May 16, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. BUTTENSCHON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Correction AN ACT in relation to directing the hiring of an independent investi- gator to investigate correctional facilities in the state; and provid- ing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. For the purposes of this act, the following terms shall 2 have the following meanings: 3 (a) "Correctional facility" shall have the same meaning as defined by 4 section 2 of the correction law. 5 (b) "Independent investigator" means the independent investigator 6 chosen pursuant to section two of this act. 7 § 2. The comptroller shall, through a request for proposal process, 8 hire an independent investigator, upon joint approval by the governor, 9 the temporary president of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly. 10 The independent investigator shall be a corporation, partnership, limit- 11 ed liability company, or other entity chosen from the private sector. 12 The purpose of the independent investigator shall be to investigate all 13 42 correctional facilities in the state to identify any negative poli- 14 cies and practices existing at such correctional facilities. 15 § 3. The independent investigator shall have the power and authority 16 to: 17 (a) conduct investigations in accordance with its purpose as estab- 18 lished under section two of this act; 19 (b) consult with any organization, government entity, or person in the 20 performance of its duties under this act; 21 (c) direct the department of corrections or any correctional facility 22 in the state to grant the independent investigator access to the depart- 23 ment of corrections or any such correctional facility or records there- 24 of; and EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD11980-02-5 
 A. 8453 2 1 (d) conduct interviews with employees of the department of corrections 2 or any correctional facility in the state, or any incarcerated individ- 3 uals held at any such correctional facilities. 4 § 4. The independent investigator shall demonstrate impartiality, 5 ethical conduct, thoroughness, professionalism, and accurate documenta- 6 tion of all activities during the performance of all duties under this 7 act. 8 § 5. Upon completion of a thorough investigation as required under 9 this act, the independent investigator shall submit a report to the 10 governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the 11 assembly, and the commissioner of corrections and community supervision, 12 that shall include the findings and any recommendations of the independ- 13 ent investigator. 14 § 6. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire upon the 15 submission of the report as required under section five of this act; 16 provided, however, that the commissioner of corrections and community 17 supervision shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon 18 the submission of such report in order that the commission may maintain 19 an accurate and timely effective data base of the official text of the 20 laws of the state of New York in furtherance of effectuating the 21 provisions of section 44 of the legislative law and section 70-b of the 22 public officers law.