Establishes the housing for an equitable reentry and opportunity (HERO) act to prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of criminal legal system involvement; defines criminal legal system involvement.
This bill changes New York's parole process by requiring the state board of parole to consider specific, evidence-based factors when deciding whether to release incarcerated individuals on parole. It mandates that the board evaluate rehabilitation efforts (like vocational training or therapy participation), release plans (including job opportunities and community support), and the seriousness of the crime, while prohibiting decisions based solely on victim input. The board must now provide detailed written explanations for denials and report quarterly to the public on parole denials, including demographic data (without identifying individuals) and reasons for each decision. This directly affects incarcerated individuals seeking parole and the parole board's decision-making procedures.
This bill creates a new class B misdemeanor crime for incarcerated individuals who harass facility employees. It specifically prohibits three actions: displaying intimate body parts in view of staff, causing employees to be exposed to such displays, or threatening to expose bodily fluids (blood, urine, etc.). The law directly affects correctional facility staff, parole board employees, mental health personnel, probation officers, and police officers working in these settings. Violations carry penalties of up to 90 days in jail. The bill focuses solely on protecting staff within correctional facilities and related agencies, without altering broader sentencing or release policies.
This bill modifies New York's correction law to expand temporary release eligibility for incarcerated individuals who complete judicially-ordered substance abuse treatment in state facilities. It allows these individuals to qualify for temporary release programs (like work release or community service) without requiring parole eligibility, provided they meet specific criteria. However, it explicitly excludes individuals convicted of sex offenses, violent crimes involving deadly weapons, or serious physical injury, and requires commissioner approval for certain cases. The policy change directly affects incarcerated people in New York state correctional facilities participating in substance abuse treatment programs.
This bill establishes a judicial diversion program for defendants under 24 charged with non-violent felonies or misdemeanors, allowing them to avoid a criminal conviction by completing a 16-month job training program. Eligibility excludes those with prior violent felony convictions, persistent offender status, or pending violent charges, though prosecutors may later permit participation. Participants must complete job training (including job opportunities and wages), attend court check-ins, and avoid criminal activity during the program. Upon successful completion, the court can dismiss the original charges or allow the defendant to withdraw a guilty plea and enter a misdemeanor plea with probation.
Requires the department of corrections and community supervision to publicly post the name, identifying information and a summary incident report after the death of an individual in the custody of the department.
Requires the notice to crime victims of case disposition to inform the victim of the right to attend interviews between the board of parole and the incarcerated individual in cases where the final disposition includes a felony defined in article one hundred twenty-five of the penal law that results in the commitment of the defendant to the custody of the department of corrections and community supervision for an indeterminate sentence; requires the board of parole to review victim impact statements, failure to review such statements shall make a hearing by the board of parole invalid.
This bill expands eligibility for New York's prison work release programs by extending the timeframe for parole eligibility from two to three years before release. It allows incarcerated individuals convicted of homicide or assault to qualify if they prove they were abused by the victim and the abuse contributed to the crime, requiring documentation like hospital records or police reports. The bill excludes those convicted of serious offenses like sex crimes, terrorism, or child sexual abuse from participating. It also requires the commissioner to consult prosecutors and courts before approving exceptions, while maintaining restrictions on those with escape convictions or certain violent histories. This directly affects incarcerated people in New York state facilities seeking work release opportunities.
Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to establish procedures to allow an incarcerated individual in a correctional facility which has suspended visiting privileges to have private meetings with their legal counsel.
This bill requires the Office of Mental Health, working with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, to study how abuse experienced during incarceration affects formerly incarcerated individuals. The study must examine both short-term and long-term mental, behavioral, and physical health impacts, associated costs, and identify effective treatment approaches. Within one year of the bill's effective date, the Office must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the governor and legislative leaders. The bill directly affects formerly incarcerated people by mandating an analysis of abuse-related harms they face post-incarceration.
