Assembly approves change to public-health statutes allowing body scanners in juvenile detention; some members warn of risks

The Assembly voted to pass A.9333 (calendar 335), amending the public health law; the sponsor read the last section and said the act would take effect on the date specified in the bill.

Assemblymember Forrest explained her no vote, warning that the rollout of body scanners in Department of Corrections facilities has at times been ‘‘detrimental to the well‑being of incarcerated people and their loved ones’’ and that scans have led to denied visits when devices detected items such as tampons, surgical scars or natural body lumps. Forrest said she is concerned about authorizing the use of body scanners in facilities run by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) without legislated rules on implementation and enforcement, and urged further collaboration between sponsors and OCFS leadership on regulations.

The clerk recorded the vote: Ayes 136, Nays 6. The bill was passed.

No amendments or further implementation language were read on the floor during the explanation.