{"id":8755,"date":"2026-04-14T14:40:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T18:40:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/?p=8755"},"modified":"2026-04-15T14:29:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T18:29:25","slug":"key-pef-supported-bill-for-body-scanners-at-ocfs-now-heads-to-the-governor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/issue\/volume-44-no-4\/key-pef-supported-bill-for-body-scanners-at-ocfs-now-heads-to-the-governor\/","title":{"rendered":"Key PEF-supported bill for body scanners at OCFS now heads to the Governor"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"BodyApril 16, 2026 — <\/em>While the deadline for the New York State budget has passed, PEF still has a reason to celebrate. Legislation supported by the union to authorize the use of body scanners at the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has passed both the New York State Senate and Assembly. It must be signed by Governor Kathy Hochul to become law.<\/p>\n

As violence inside state-run facilities across all agencies rises, passage of this bill marks a step in the right direction for safer workplaces.<\/p>\n

Support for bringing body scanners to state-operated juvenile facilities and locally operated and specialized secure facilities goes back many years. In 2025, PEF\u2019s advocacy helped push $50 million to install body scanners and cameras at DOCCS facilities in New York. That same year, PEF member and Child Protective Services Specialist Zack Swift called for advancing legislation to install body scanners at OCFS facilities.<\/p>\n

With the help of Senator James Skoufis (D-SD 42) and Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi (D-AD 28), the bill was voted on and passed both houses ahead of the 2026 budget. PEF is grateful to the legislature for their support.<\/p>\n

The bill would allow the installation and use of body scanner technology to help prevent weapons, drugs and other contraband from getting into secure OCFS facilities for at-risk youth.<\/p>\n

\u201cBody scanning technology provides an additional layer of security for our staff and our members,\u201d said PEF President Wayne Spence. \u201cI am eager to see New York State follow through by signing this into law, enhancing programming, and hiring more staff at OCFS, so our members can work safely and deliver critical services effectively and efficiently to New Yorkers in need.\u201d<\/p>\n

President Spence also said that while this legislation is important, something similar needs to be done at other agencies, like the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is legislation currently to bring these body scanners to OMH and OPWDD. We\u2019re hopeful that as budget talks continue, this legislation is one of many that is top of mind for legislators,\u201d said President Spence. \u201cOur members deserve a safe place to work and cannot wait any longer for New York to come through for them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n

Your letters helped make this happen! Contact your legislators about all of PEF’s priorities!<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

April 16, 2026 — While the deadline for the New York State budget has passed, PEF still has a reason to celebrate. 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