Congress Passes Key Corrections Measures

Lobbying efforts by AFSCME and its affiliates have resulted in passage of key corrections laws in one of the most positive legislative sessions for corrections in several years. In the final days of the session, Congress passed three measures that were top priorities for AFSCME corrections officers, including the Corrections Officers Health and Safety Act, which will provide mandatory HIV testing of all incarcerated persons whose bodily fluids come into contact with federal COs. It also directs the U.S. Attorney General to issue proposed guidelines to the states for testing and treating all types of infectious diseases in state and local correctional facilities.

Another bill will provide educational scholarships to families of public safety officers, including COs, who are killed or disabled in the line of duty. Also, at AFSCME’s urging, Sen. Alfonse D’Amato (R-NY) added an important provision to the omnibus budget bill that will protect the privacy of COs by prohibiting the disclosure of financial or other confidential information of any federal, state or local CO in an action brought by a prisoner. President Clinton is expected to sign these bills into law soon.

Earlier this year, Congress passed and President Clinton signed a bill to establish a matching grant program to help state and local jurisdictions purchase armored vests for use by corrections and other public safety officers. Another measure that was advocated by AFSCME and has now become law authorizes the U.S. Justice Department to establish a program to support and counsel families of slain corrections and other public safety officers.