Includes policies and procedures for responding to students having mental health crises in a manner that does not include contacting law enforcement unless implied or direct threats of violence or other criminal activity is involved in school safety plans.
This bill (A 4606) allows individuals to petition courts to seal criminal records from cases dismissed or terminated in their favor more than 20 years ago, specifically including traffic violations (excluding DWI). It directly affects people with old, non-conviction records who seek to have these records removed from public view. The process requires applicants to submit a request to the court clerk, who must seal the records if the case was resolved favorably, and law enforcement must destroy related evidence like fingerprints. The bill updates existing sealing procedures to automatically cover qualifying cases over two decades old, streamlining access to record relief.
This bill requires all New York district attorneys to follow ethics rules created exclusively by the New York State Bar Association. It mandates that their official ethics guidelines must be based solely on the Bar Association's standards, as specified in the New York Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR 1200). The law directly affects every district attorney's office in New York by standardizing ethics oversight and eliminating alternative guideline sources. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Requires all incarcerated individuals who do not have a high-school diploma or its equivalent to receive a reading proficiency level assessment and dyslexia screening upon intake by the department of corrections; requires for such individuals who perform below a certain proficiency level to be provided with intervention services that are evidence-based, effective and consistent with science-based research specifically tailored to addressing dyslexia.
Directs the hiring of an independent investigator to investigate all 42 correctional facilities in the state to identify any negative policies and practices exiting as such correctional facilities.
This bill significantly expands eligibility for judicial diversion programs, allowing individuals charged with a broader range of offenses to participate if they have a "qualifying diagnosis." This diagnosis includes serious mental disorders, other mental health disorders causing severe functional impairment, or substance use disorders. While most Class A felonies and Class B sexual offenses are generally excluded, the bill establishes a new "diversion part" in each county. It also redefines "treatment" within these programs to include evidence-based interventions outside of carceral settings.
Relates to the use of body-worn cameras by police officers; requires the department of environmental conservation and the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation establish a program to provide and require officers to wear body-worn cameras while on patrol.
Requires grand jury proceedings for police officers or peace officers involved in a shooting or excessive use of force to be conducted in open, contemporaneous public hearings.
This bill requires the State Board of Parole to include each commissioner's individual voting rate for releasing people in its annual report to the governor and legislature. The report must track how often each commissioner votes to release individuals appearing before the board for release or community supervision. It amends existing law to mandate this specific data point alongside demographic information about people granted release. The change applies directly to the parole board's reporting process, not to parole decisions themselves. The bill was referred to the Correction committee on January 8, 2025.
S 1070 establishes a New York State Civilian Complaint Review Board to independently investigate complaints about misconduct by police and peace officers. The board, composed of nine public members without law enforcement experience, will handle complaints confidentially, complete investigations within six months, and recommend disciplinary action to the officer's employer or the district attorney if no action is taken within 30 days. This bill directly affects police and peace officers by subjecting misconduct claims to civilian oversight and provides a formal process for the public to file complaints without needing to be a victim.
