What's happening
This bill expands the authority for transferring criminal cases to various "problem solving courts" beyond drug courts, including domestic violence, youth, mental health, and veterans courts.
Why it matters
Expands the scope of eligible cases for transfer to specialized courts. , potentially offering more defendants access to tailored interventions (e.g., mental health treatment, support for veterans, or domestic violence resources) that could address root causes of criminal behavior.
Allows local courts greater flexibility in responding to unique circumstances of defendants and victims. , moving beyond drug-related offenses to factors like age, military service, mental health, or domestic violence, which may contribute to offending.
Could lead to improved outcomes for both individuals and communities. by promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism, as problem-solving courts often emphasize treatment, accountability, and support rather than solely punishment.
Reflects a broader recognition that a “one size fits all” approach to justice may be ineffective. , signaling a systemic shift toward more individualized and restorative forms of criminal justice.
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Headline styles
Broaden Problem Solving Courts
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to codes
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.
Clarify Problem Solving Court Transfers
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor David Carlucci
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10072
IN ASSEMBLY
March 14, 2018
Introduced by M. of A. GALEF -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to a "problem solving court"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 170.15 of the criminal procedure law, as amended by chapter 67 of the laws of 2000, is amended to read as follows:
4. Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, in any county outside a city having a population of one million or more, upon or after arraignment of a defendant on an information, a simplified information, a prosecutor's information or a misdemeanor complaint pending in a local criminal court, such court may, upon motion of the defendant and with the consent of the district attorney, order that the action be removed from the court in which the matter is pending to another local criminal court in the same county which has been designated a [drug] court formed to address a matter of special concern based upon the status of the defendant or the victim, commonly known as a "problem solving court," including, but not limited to, drug court, domestic violence court, youth court, mental health court, and veterans court, by the chief administrator of the courts, and such [drug] problem solving court may then conduct such action to [judgement] judgment or other final disposition; provided, however, that an order of removal issued under this subdivision shall not take effect until five days after the date the order is issued unless, prior to such effective date, the [drug] problem solving court notifies the court that issued the order that:
(a) it will not accept the action, in which event the order shall not take effect, or
(b) it will accept the action on a date prior to such effective date, in which event the order shall take effect upon such prior date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08719-01-7
A. 10072 2
Upon providing notification pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this subdivision, the [drug] problem solving court shall promptly give notice to the defendant, his or her counsel and the district attorney.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.