Albany – In the FY 2026-27 Executive Budget proposal, Governor Hochul announced her support for authorizing the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to install body scanners in their Youth Justice and Detention Facilities. As the Chairs of the Assembly Committee on Children and Families and the Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations, we thank the Governor for her commitment to keeping New Yorkers safe.

Over the last few years, the population of youth justice and detention facilities has significantly increased, with staffing unable to keep place. Uneven staff-to-youth ratios have increased the risk of contraband entering and remaining in facilities undetected and, as a result, youth facilities have seen increases in dangerous incidents involving undetected contraband.

The installation of radiological body scanners will keep both staff and youth at these facilities safer by swiftly detecting metal and non-metal contraband and reducing the need for more invasive physical searches.

Assemblyman Hevesi and Senator Skoufis have introduced A.9333/S.8963 to authorize OCFS to install body scanners at their facilities. We look forward to working with Governor Hochul to advance this authorization, whether in the FY 2026-27 State Budget or as a standalone bill.