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
Demond Meeks
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
Al Stirpe
DDemocratic
Co
Al Taylor
DDemocratic
Co
Alex Bores
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
Alicia Hyndman
DDemocratic
Co
Amanda Septimo
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
Andrew Hevesi
DDemocratic
Co
Anna Kelles
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
Brian Cunningham
DDemocratic
Co
Catalina Cruz
DDemocratic
Co
Chantel Jackson
DDemocratic
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