SB 6021
In CommitteeSenate
Green Hill school contraband
Reducing introduction of contraband into Green Hill school.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill creates a body scanner program at Green Hill School to detect and prevent the introduction of contraband like drugs, cell phones, and weapons. It includes safeguards for vulnerable individuals, mandates treatment for youth with substance use issues, and requires annual reporting on program outcomes.
- Establishes a body scanner program at Green Hill School to detect contraband, including drugs and electronics, under clothing or in body cavities.
- Requires gender-responsive and trauma-informed policies for scanning, with alternative screening for minors, pregnant individuals, people with disabilities, or health-compromised individuals.
- Mandates staffing and training for body scanner operation, including radiation safety training, and limits who can operate scanners or interpret scans.
- Requires substance use disorder assessment and treatment for youth found with substance-related contraband who show signs of addiction, while distinguishing them from those transporting drugs for others.
- Requires disciplinary action and law enforcement referral for staff or visitors caught with contraband during scans.
- Requires annual reporting to the governor and legislature on scan results, types of contraband, confiscations, and treatment outcomes.
Who is affected
- Youth incarcerated at Green Hill School — Youth incarcerated at Green Hill School may be subject to body scans upon entry; those found with substance-related contraband may be assessed for and offered treatment for substance use disorder.
- Staff and visitors to Green Hill School — Employees, contractors, visitors, and volunteers entering Green Hill School will be scanned each time they enter the secure perimeter; those found with contraband may face discipline and criminal referral.
- Youth with substance use disorder symptoms — May receive enhanced substance use disorder treatment services if found with substance-related contraband and show signs of addiction.
- Department of Corrections and Department of Children, Youth, and Families staff — Will receive training on safe operation of body scanners and radiation exposure limits, and must follow new policies for scanning procedures.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
The body scanner program is designed to significantly reduce contraband—including fentanyl, heroin, and cell phones—entering Green Hill School, directly improving safety for youth residents and staff and enabling more effective rehabilitative programming.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(a), Sec. 2(2), Sec. 2(4), Sec. 2(6)(d)Youth found with substance-related contraband who show signs of addiction will be assessed and offered evidence-based treatment—including medication-assisted treatment—diverting them from punitive discipline and toward recovery, which aligns with best practices in adolescent substance use care.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(a), Sec. 2(6)(d)Gender-responsive and trauma-informed policies—including alternative screening for minors, pregnant individuals, people with disabilities, and health-compromised persons—reduce unnecessary physical intrusion and protect dignity, especially for vulnerable populations.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(b), Sec. 2(3)(a)Annual reporting requirements and data transparency will enable legislative oversight and program evaluation, supporting evidence-based adjustments and accountability for outcomes—including treatment success and contraband trends.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(b), Sec. 2(6)(a)The bill directs use of existing funding and equipment to implement the program, reducing immediate fiscal burden on the state budget—though this may limit scalability or long-term sustainability if existing resources are insufficient.
FinancialLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(5)
Potential Concerns (5)
Mandatory full-body scanning of all entrants—including minors, visitors, and staff—without probable cause or individualized suspicion constitutes a heightened level of surveillance and physical intrusion that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including youth and visitors with disabilities or trauma histories, despite alternative screening protocols.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(b), Sec. 2(3)(a)Radiation exposure risks—though mitigated by training and dosage limits—remain non-zero, especially for frequent visitors (e.g., family members, staff) and youth who may undergo repeated scans over time; federal standards may not fully account for cumulative exposure in minors or health-compromised individuals.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(b), Sec. 2(3)(a)Implementation relies on existing funding and equipment, but the bill does not guarantee sufficient staffing, scanner maintenance, or training capacity—risks of operational failure or inconsistent application could undermine program effectiveness and create safety gaps.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2), Sec. 2(3)(a)Mandatory scanning of all entrants—including children, elders, and people with disabilities—may deter family visitation and community engagement, which are critical to youth rehabilitation and long-term success, potentially undermining rehabilitative goals.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(b), Sec. 2(3)(a)Trauma-informed policies are required but not independently funded or standardized—without robust oversight and quality control, implementation may vary, leading to re-traumatization or inconsistent protections for vulnerable populations.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(b), Sec. 2(3)(a)
Who Is Most Affected
Youth incarcerated at Green Hill School benefit from reduced contraband (especially lethal drugs like fentanyl) and access to treatment if needed, but face increased surveillance and potential trauma from repeated scans—especially those with histories of abuse or disability.
Staff and visitors face routine, non-consensual body scans that may deter visitation or employment, but benefit from safer facilities and reduced exposure to contraband; those caught with contraband face discipline and criminal referral.
Youth with substance use disorder symptoms gain access to assessment and treatment instead of punishment, which could improve long-term outcomes—but only if the program is implemented with clinical fidelity and adequate staffing.
DOH and DCYF staff gain new training opportunities and clearer protocols, but face added operational burdens and liability risks related to radiation safety and scan interpretation—especially if staffing is insufficient.
Families and caregivers may benefit from safer facilities and reduced drug exposure, but may be deterred by invasive scanning procedures, especially if they have disabilities, are pregnant, or have trauma histories.