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Who cares
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Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to certificates of relief from disabilities issued by the department of corrections and community supervision
In Senate Committee · Crime Victims, Crime And Correction · Sponsor Eric Stevenson
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S6540
Title of bill
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to certificates of relief from disabilities issued by the department of corrections and community supervision
Purpose
This bill conforms the requirements for a certificate of relief from disabilities to the requirements for a certificate of good conduct.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends the correction law to create a conforming change to mirror the provisions of Correction Law 703-b relating to the issuance of certificates of good conduct by the State Board of Parole, provided that the Board is satisfied that the person is an eligible offender, the relief is consistent with the rehabilitation of the offender, and the relief is consistent with the public interest.
Section 2 creates the same conforming change to §702 of the correction law for certificates of relief from disabilities issued by the courts. This section also mirrors the provisions of correction Law § 703-b relating to the issuance of certificates of good conduct by the State Board of Parole, provided that the Court is satisfied that the person is an eligible offender, the relief is consistent with the rehabilitation of the offender, and the relief is consistent with the public interest.
Section 3 of the bill provides that these amendments would take effect immediately.
Justification
Certificates of Relief from Disabilities are a powerful tool created by the Legislature to promote and encourage successful reintegration after a conviction. It can lay the groundwork for re-entry into society, allowing individuals to obtain, for example, licences essential to employment which can empower them to make child support payments and break the cycle of poverty. A certificate can also prevent eviction, loss of a job and loss of an occupational license.
The suggested change to conform the provisions of the correction law governing certificates of relief from disabilities to those governing certificates of good conduct would promote the successful reentry, rehabilitation and public safety throughout New York State, as originally intended by the Legislature.
The correction law currently provides that a certificate of good conduct shall be issued where the Parole Board is satisfied that the applicant is eligible. The relief to be granted by the certificate is consistent with the rehabilitation of the applicant and is consistent with the public interest. This bill makes the same provisions for both the courts and the Parole Board to issue certificates of relief.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act will take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.