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Senate floor appeal spotlights contraband, body scanners and calls to repeal HALT Act
Summary
A floor appeal during the New York State Senate focused attention on contraband, staff assaults and the state's HALT Act; an appeal to allow an amendment failed and the underlying bill was returned to the noncontroversial calendar and later passed.
An extended floor dispute in the New York State Senate on Feb. 24, 2025 centered on contraband, staff safety and the limits imposed by the HALT Act, but an appeal to allow an amendment failed and the bill moved to the noncontroversial calendar and ultimately passed.
The exchange began when a senator sought to introduce an amendment related to prison safety measures — including mandatory body scanners, expanded canine patrols, a secure vendor mail program and changes to segregation rules — as part of consideration of Senate print 195 (sponsored by Senator Martinez). Senator Hellman (appealing the chair nd arguing for the amendment) framed the issue as a response to a contraband and chemical exposure crisis in state correctional facilities: “We bought $13,000,000…
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