This bill prohibits involuntary servitude and forced labor in all New York state and local correctional facilities, directly affecting incarcerated individuals. It amends the Civil Rights Law to explicitly ban slavery, involuntary servitude, and forced labor for all people in New York - including those convicted of crimes - and adds a new Correction Law section prohibiting any labor compelled through force, threats, or adverse actions (like disciplinary measures). The law makes it illegal for facilities to require labor against an individual's will using coercion or fear of punishment. This represents a concrete legal change to end forced labor practices within New York's prison system.
Relates to voting rights and access for incarcerated individuals; authorizes polling places to be available at correctional facilities and local facilities; requires such facilities to provide persons detained or confined in such facilities access to register to vote or apply for an absentee ballot; requires voting information to be included in the inmate handbook.
S 534 creates a new class A misdemeanor offense called "aggravated disorderly conduct" for individuals who obstruct traffic or block building entrances during unpermitted protests, demonstrations, or assemblies with intent to cause public alarm or recklessly create such risk. This law specifically designates aggravated disorderly conduct as a "specified offense" for hate crime prosecutions, meaning it could be treated as a hate crime if motivated by bias. The bill directly affects protest participants engaging in these specific types of obstruction without legal authorization.
Protects the rights of people in prisons, jails and forensic facilities; limits the use of cell or segregated confinement; grants access to tablets, visitation, and certain items.
This bill (S 160) proposes a constitutional amendment to grant voting rights to people incarcerated in state correctional facilities. It would amend the state constitution to explicitly include "any incarcerated person" among citizens entitled to vote in all elections, provided they are 18+ and meet standard residency requirements (30 days in the county, city, or village before an election). The amendment would directly affect incarcerated individuals by restoring their voting eligibility, aligning with existing constitutional provisions for other citizens. The bill requires a constitutional amendment process, including legislative approval and a public referendum after the next general election.
This bill expands New York's hate crime definition by adding "solicitation or facilitation" of specific violent offenses to the list of acts that qualify as hate crimes. It directly affects prosecutors, courts, and victims of crimes like assault, stalking, sexual abuse, kidnapping, and terrorism when motivated by bias. The key change modifies the penal law to include these actions - such as urging someone to commit a listed crime or helping plan it - as punishable hate crimes. This applies to the full range of offenses previously defined as "specified offenses," including violent and hate-motivated acts. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
S 5163 amends New York's Executive Law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on "status as a person with a prior conviction" in employment, licensing, and training programs. The bill adds this protected category to existing anti-discrimination provisions, making it unlawful for employers, licensing agencies, employment agencies, or labor organizations to refuse hiring, discharge, or discriminate against individuals with prior convictions in compensation, terms, or conditions of employment. It also prohibits discriminatory statements, advertisements, or inquiries related to this status, except where justified by a bona fide occupational qualification. This policy change directly affects job seekers and workers with criminal records seeking employment opportunities across New York State.
This bill creates a new civil lawsuit pathway for individuals whose constitutional or federal rights were violated by government actors (such as police, courts, or public officials). It allows victims to sue for damages and court-ordered remedies, removes common defenses like "I thought it was legal," and requires courts to award attorney fees to winning plaintiffs - even if the case settles without a formal judgment. Public entities (like cities or state agencies) must cover their employees' legal costs if sued under this law, and lawsuits must be filed within three years of the violation. It directly affects people harmed by government overreach, ensuring they have a clear legal route to seek redress for rights violations.
Allows individuals detained in any correctional or local correctional facility to vote at polling places located within the facility if they are registered to vote and are otherwise eligible; provides for polling places within correctional facilities; provides for automatic changes in voter status; includes bi-partisan boards of elections officials and inspectors as persons who may visit correctional facilities.
This bill prohibits employers from discriminating against job applicants or employees whose criminal charges were adjourned in contemplation of dismissal (a status where charges are put on hold pending successful completion of conditions, not a conviction). It directly affects individuals with such dismissed charges, ensuring they cannot be denied employment or face other employment penalties based on this legal status. The bill amends criminal procedure law to clarify that an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal is not a conviction or admission of guilt, and that such cases should not result in employment disability or forfeiture. It explicitly states that this change does not affect existing rights under related laws.
