What's happening
This bill requires that all crime victims be informed of their right to make a victim impact statement and appear at parole hearings.
Why it matters
Expands notification to all crime victims, not just those in violent or specific felony cases, ensuring more people are aware of their rights throughout the criminal justice process.
Mandates that victims are informed about multiple ways to share their perspectives—written, audio, video statements, or in-person meetings—giving victims more accessible and flexible participation options.
Introduces the explicit right for victims to voluntarily appear and speak at the parole hearing while the incarcerated individual is present, potentially increasing the emotional and procedural impact of victim statements on parole decisions.
Could increase transparency and victim engagement in parole processes, potentially affecting outcomes and fostering a greater sense of justice and closure for victims.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Victims Speak at Parole
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 23
History
- Referred to codes
- 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.
Let Victims Speak at Parole
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Toby Ann Stavisky
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
59
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. PHEFFER AMATO, WOERNER, JONES, BUTTENSCHON -read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to requiring victims be informed of their right to make a victim impact statement to the division of parole and to appear at parole hearings
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 440.50 of the criminal procedure law, as amended by chapter 322 of the laws of 2021, is amended to read as follows:
1. [Upon the request of a victim of a crime, or in any event in all cases in which the final disposition includes a conviction of a violent felony offense as defined in section 70.02 of the penal law, a felony defined in article one hundred twenty-five of such law, or a felony defined in article one hundred thirty of such law, the] In all cases in which the final disposition includes a conviction, the district attorney shall, within sixty days of [the] such final disposition [of the case], inform the victim by letter of such [final disposition] conviction. If such final disposition results in the commitment of the defendant to the custody of the department of corrections and community supervision for an indeterminate sentence, the notice provided to the crime victim shall also inform the victim of [his or her] such victim's right to submit a written, audiotaped, or videotaped victim impact statement to the department of corrections and community supervision or to meet personally with a member of the state board of parole at a time and place separate from the personal interview between a member or members of the board and the incarcerated individual and make such a statement, subject to procedures and limitations contained in rules of the board, both pursuant to subdivision two of section two hundred fifty-nine-i of the executive law. A copy of such letter shall be provided to the board
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00002-01-5
of parole. The right of the victim under this subdivision to submit a written victim impact statement or to meet personally with a member of the state board of parole applies to each personal interview between a member or members of the board and the incarcerated individual. The victim shall also be informed of their right to voluntarily appear at the incarcerated individual's personal interview and make a statement before the board of parole while such individual is present.
§ 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.