What's happening
This bill requires New York prisons to ensure non-English speaking prisoners have access to substance abuse programs through translation and bilingual staff.
Why it matters
Addresses a major barrier to rehabilitation. By requiring substance abuse programs to be accessible in languages other than English, the bill recognizes that language barriers can prevent non-English-speaking prisoners from fully participating in and benefiting from treatment that is often critical for parole eligibility and successful reentry.
Promotes equity and compliance with civil rights. The bill aims to ensure that all incarcerated individuals have an equal opportunity to access essential rehabilitative services, reducing potential discrimination based on language and aligning with broader civil rights obligations.
Could reduce recidivism and improve public safety. By making substance abuse programs more accessible, the legislation may help more individuals complete treatment, which is linked to lower rates of re-offending and improved outcomes upon release, benefiting both individuals and the broader community.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Prisoner Rehab Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Referred to correction
- Referred to 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.
Add Drug Help for Immigrants
In Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Jamaal Bailey
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3204
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 28, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. DE LA ROSA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to increasing access to substance abuse programming for prisoners whose first language is not English
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The correction law is amended by adding a new section 626 to read as follows:
§ 626. Access to substance abuse programming for certain prisoners. The commissioner shall take steps to ensure that prisoners whose first language is not English are able to understand, participate and complete substance abuse programs provided in the prisons. Such steps may include, but need not be limited to, increased employment of bilingual substance abuse counselors and program staff, translation of program content and materials, targeted programs for non-English speaking prisoners and other strategies determined by the commissioner in consultation with the commissioner of alcoholism and substance abuse services.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05418-01-9
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.