A 1297 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Eliminates mandatory minimum sentences; repealer

This bill eliminates mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain offenses, replacing them with judicial discretion to determine appropriate sentences based on individual circumstances. It requires courts to provide written explanations for sentencing decisions and mandates that pre-sentence reports include analysis of incarceration costs to the state. Defendants gain expanded access to pre-sentence reports used in sentencing decisions, and judges must consider rehabilitation and community safety goals rather than fixed minimum terms. The law applies to felony sentencing under New York's penal and criminal procedure laws, directly affecting judges, defendants, and the state correctional system.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 9, 2025 Last action May 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

A1297 A1297A · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill text was updated to reflect its new status as an amended version (A1297A) after committee review. The substantive content of the bill, which aims to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences and promote rehabilitation, remains unchanged. The only modifications are administrative updates to the sponsor list and procedural notes indicating the bill was amended and recommitted to the committee.
TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title and header to show it is now version A1297A, reflecting that it has been amended by the Assembly Committee on Codes.

Added new sponsors (Bronson, Valdez, Wright, Romero, Burroughs, Stirpe, De Los Santos, Zacca-Ro, Ramos, Solages, Sayegh, Hooks, Dilan, Moreno) to the list of legislators introducing the bill.

Inserted procedural text stating the bill was recommitted to the committee after being amended and ordered reprinted.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
May 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 1297A
lower
May 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CODES
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
lower
Jan 9, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
lower
1 primary · 57 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Demond Meeks
Demond Meeks
DDemocratic/Working Families
NY
137
Co
Photo of Al Stirpe
Al Stirpe
DDemocratic
NY
127
Co
Photo of Al Taylor
Al Taylor
DDemocratic
NY
71
Co
Photo of Alex Bores
Alex Bores
DDemocratic/Working Families
NY
73
Co
Photo of Alicia Hyndman
Alicia Hyndman
DDemocratic
NY
29
Co
Photo of Amanda Septimo
Amanda Septimo
DDemocratic/Working Families
NY
84
Co
Photo of Andrew Hevesi
Andrew Hevesi
DDemocratic
NY
28
Co
Photo of Anna Kelles
Anna Kelles
DDemocratic/Working Families
NY
125
Co
Photo of Brian Cunningham
Brian Cunningham
DDemocratic
NY
43
Co
Photo of Catalina Cruz
Catalina Cruz
DDemocratic
NY
39
Co
Photo of Chantel Jackson
Chantel Jackson
DDemocratic
NY
79