Correction Officer Residency Requirements May Soon Change

Legislation sponsored by Senator Pete Harckham and co-sponsored by Senators James Skoufis and Bill Weber passed the New York State Senate on April 1st. The bill to loosen residency requirements for Corrections Officers and related staff members serving Orange and Rockland counties has passed with broad bipartisan support.

The bill (S.9020C) will allow eligible personnel to reside not only in Orange or Rockland counties, but also in any New York county directly bordering either county—providing greater flexibility while helping to recruit and retain a strong workforce. The bill was introduced at the request of the sheriff departments from both counties.

The companion bill (A.10080B) passed the NYS  Assembly this week and now heads to Governor Kathy Hochul for her consideration. 

“It is important that we help our corrections facilities retain talent and stay well-staffed,” said Sen. Harckham. “This bill will alleviate overly restrictive residency requirements and help maintain safety in our local corrections facilities. I’m grateful to my colleagues, Senator Weber and Senator Skoufis, for their partnership in advancing this measure swiftly through the Senate, and to Assemblymember Weider for his leadership in securing its passage in the Assembly.”

“I was proud to work collaboratively with my colleagues from across the aisle to get this bill across the finish line,” said Sen. Weber. “As the son and brother of retired and active law enforcement officers, I’m especially gratified to have played a role in supporting those who serve and protect our communities.”

“I’m more than pleased with the Senator in reference to pushing forward to assist our local correction officers,” stated Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco

“For many of us, this isn’t just about policy or paperwork; it’s about the people who go to work every day in our correctional facilities to keep this community safe,” said Daniel Huppert, President, Rockland County Correction Officer Benevolent Association (COBARC)

Rockland and Orange County correctional facilities have faced ongoing difficulties in the past several years with recruitment of new correction officers, as well as retention of trained, experienced officers. Loosening of the residency requirements contained within the Public Officers Law will allow these counties to expand their geographical search for correction officer candidates, as well as enable such municipalities to retain experienced officers who may reside outside the two respective counties.

Staffing shortages and recruitment issues have become a burden across the country in recent years. Interestingly, New York State corrections officer positions generally do not require residency in the state. Last year, the Pennsylvania State Senate began advancing legislation to allow corrections officers to live outside the state because of problems filling vacancies.

Moreover, corrections officers usually prefer to live outside the jurisdiction they serve to avoid having to interact with incarcerated individuals or their family members when they are off-duty, an understandable separation of professional and personal lives.