JustLeadershipUSA Statement on the Passage of New York State Bill 309 in the Senate

Last week, the bill that was inspired in part by JustLeadershipUSA’s #JustUs policy recommendations passed in the New York State Senate. The correctional facility disaster preparedness legislation (S309) was sponsored by Senator Julia Salazar (D, WF-18) and recently was also introduced in the New York State Assembly by Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs (A9449).

JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSA) President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins issued the following statement: “We want to thank Sen. Salazar for once again bringing this legislation before the New York State Senate and celebrate its passage as the next step toward saving lives in times of crisis. In light of the escalating impact of climate crises and extreme weather events along with the ongoing lessons the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us, the need for immediate action cannot be overstated.

“It’s imperative the New York State Assembly now swiftly move this legislation to passage. This bill is vital to safeguarding the lives of individuals who are incarcerated, the lives of correctional staff, and by extension, the lives of those in the community. We recognize the Senate passage as an important milestone, but we still have further to go in order to protect lives during natural disasters and emergencies of all kinds.”

JustLeadershipUSA is one of the nation’s largest criminal justice reform organizations that is both founded by and led by formerly incarcerated people. For more information, please visit jlusa.org.