What's happening
This bill requires the New York State Board of Parole to proportionally reflect the prison population's race, age, and geography.
Why it matters
Mandates demographic proportionality. The bill requires that the New York State Board of Parole's membership must directly mirror the race, ethnicity, age, and geographic distribution of the state's prison population, making the board more representative of those it impacts.
Potentially changes board decisions. By diversifying the board, especially in demographics that reflect the incarcerated population, the perspectives and lived experiences represented in parole decisions may broaden, potentially affecting outcomes on parole eligibility and justice.
Immediate structural overhaul. The current board will be abolished as of January 1, 2020, and must be reconstituted under these new requirements, meaning a rapid and significant shift in the board's makeup and culture.
Increases accountability in appointments. The governor is now explicitly responsible for ensuring demographic proportionality when making all board appointments, making the process less arbitrary and more transparent regarding representation.
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Diversify Parole Board Membership
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- 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.
Diversify Parole Board Membership
In Senate Committee · Crime Victims, Crime And Correction · Sponsor Velmanette Montgomery
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
905
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PERRY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Correction
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring the state board of parole to reflect the composition of the prison population in race, age and geographic area of residence
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 259-b of the executive law, as amended by section 38-a of subpart A of part C of chapter 62 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
1. There shall be in the department a state board of parole [which] that shall possess the powers and duties hereinafter specified. The board shall function independently of the department regarding all of its decision-making functions, as well as any other powers and duties specified in this article, provided, however, that administrative matters of general applicability within the department shall be applicable to the board. Such board shall consist of not more than nineteen members and not less than fifteen members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. In making appointments to the board, the governor shall ensure that the membership shall adequately reflect the composition of the prison population in race and ethnicity, age, and geographic area of residence. The percentage of each demographic characteristic of the members shall be directly proportionate to that of the prison population. The term of office of each member of such board shall be for six years; provided, however, that any member chosen to fill a vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be appointed, in the manner specified above, for the remainder of the unexpired term of the member whom he or she is to succeed. In the event of the inability to act of any member, the governor may appoint some competent informed person to act in his or her stead during the continuance of such disability.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03436-01-9
A. 905 2
§ 2. The state board of parole as constituted on the effective date of this section is hereby abolished as of January 1, 2020. Members of the state board of parole as constituted pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 1 of section 259-b of the executive law, as amended by section one of this act, shall be appointed by the appropriate state official prior to January 1, 2020, so that such board may be fully operative on and after such date.
§ 3. 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.