Requires all incarcerated individuals who do not have a high-school diploma or its equivalent to receive a reading proficiency level assessment and dyslexia screening upon intake by the department of corrections; requires for such individuals who perform below a certain proficiency level to be provided with intervention services that are evidence-based, effective and consistent with science-based research specifically tailored to addressing dyslexia.
This bill mandates a comprehensive study on the relationship between the corrections system and the child welfare system. The study will examine incarcerated individuals' prior involvement with child welfare and juvenile systems, including details like past foster care, age during placement, ethnicity, and gender. It requires the Commissioner to conduct surveys of a random sample of at least ten percent of individuals in state, county, and municipal correctional facilities. Participant confidentiality and informed consent are required for these surveys. A written report with findings, conclusions, and recommendations must be submitted to the governor and legislative leaders.
Enacts the PTSD awareness and rehabilitation act to require PTSD screening, provide trauma-informed education, and implement evidence-based rehabilitation programs to ensure incarcerated individuals receive proper support for mental health challenges.
Requires the district attorney to notify victims by letter of the final disposition of the case within sixty days of such disposition in cases where such final disposition includes a conviction; provides such letter shall also notify victims of their right to make a victim impact statement; allows them to personally appear at parole hearings and make such a statement.
This bill expands the legal definition of a "victim of a sexual offense" in New York State to explicitly include individuals harmed by the unlawful dissemination or publication of intimate images. It amends Section 108 of the Executive Law to add this new category to the existing definition, which previously covered offenses under specific Penal Law sections. The change directly affects people whose intimate images are shared without consent, ensuring they are recognized under the same legal framework as victims of other sexual offenses. This is a definitional update, not a new criminal penalty, and applies to all cases falling under the revised definition.
S 1285, the "Tiarah Poyau Act," allows juries in criminal trials to request written instructions about legal requirements (such as offense elements or defenses) during deliberations. The bill requires courts to provide these written instructions upon request, after giving attorneys a chance to review and comment on them. This change aims to clarify legal standards for juries without altering substantive law. It directly affects juries, judges, and defense/prosecution attorneys in criminal cases. The bill passed the Senate in April 2025 and is now in the Assembly.
This bill expands the legal definition of "victim of a sexual offense" to include individuals who are victims of the unlawful dissemination or publication of intimate images. It directly affects people whose private images are shared without consent, ensuring they are covered under existing protections for sexual offense victims. The key change amends New York's Executive Law to add this specific scenario to the definition, aligning it with related penal law provisions. This update provides a clearer legal framework for supporting victims of non-consensual image sharing.
Directs DOCCS, in collaboration with OTDA, OMH and OASAS, to establish a 5-year reintegration pilot program for individuals being released from correctional facilities to provide supports and services to prepare for release, assist with reintegration into the community, and reduce recidivism.
Expands who may visit local correctional facilities to include persons and accompanying staff of the chief executive officer of a county, members of a county legislative body, mayor of the city of New York, New York city public advocate, New York city comptroller, and members of the New York city council.
Allows the removal of criminal actions to a mental health court in an adjoining county and provides for the reversion to the original court of record where the defendant fails to comply with or complete the mental health court program.
