A 3596 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Enacts "the prison wage act" relating to payment for labor performed by incarcerated individuals

This bill requires incarcerated individuals in New York state correctional facilities to be paid for labor performed, setting a minimum standard of at least half the state's minimum wage. It directly affects people held in state and local prisons who work in facility operations, community programs, or nonprofit volunteer roles. Key provisions mandate compensation for all work described in the law, including kitchen duties, maintenance, and specialized facility tasks, with pay calculated based on minimum wage standards. The law updates multiple correction law sections to ensure all such labor is compensated fairly, replacing previous unpaid or low-wage labor practices.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 28, 2025 Last action Jan 7, 2026

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What changed between versions

A3596A → A3596B · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the New York prison minimum wage act to clarify that incarcerated individuals performing work for nonprofit organizations must be compensated under specific wage provisions. It also restructures several sections of the correction law to ensure consistent compensation rules across different types of labor, including prison industries and work release programs.

Scope change

The bill expands the applicability of compensation rules to include work performed for nonprofit organizations and clarifies the authority of prison officials to employ incarcerated individuals on Sundays and holidays in specialized areas.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the reference for nonprofit work compensation from subdivision four to subdivision five of section 187, ensuring consistent wage application.

Reorganized the correction law sections to standardize compensation language, changing 'may' to 'shall' in certain contexts to mandate rather than permit specific actions.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provisions allowing the commissioner and superintendents to permit incarcerated individuals to work on Sundays and public holidays in specialized areas like kitchens and garages, provided they receive an alternative free day.

DEFINITION

Updated the language regarding who receives compensation for work performed, shifting from 'he or she' to 'they' and clarifying the role of the department of corrections in grading compensation.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO CORRECTION

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 3596B

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO CORRECTION

lower

Feb 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 3596A

lower

Feb 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CORRECTION

lower

Jan 28, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO CORRECTION

lower

1 primary · 18 co-sponsors