What's happening
This bill requires that all crime victims are 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 involved in violent or certain felony cases—ensuring that anyone affected by a crime is informed about convictions and their rights in the parole process.
Strengthens victims’ participation. by guaranteeing they are told they can make victim impact statements in writing, audio, or video, or by meeting with a parole board member, potentially increasing victims’ voices in decisions about an offender’s release.
Introduces the explicit right for victims to appear at parole hearings with the offender present. , providing an opportunity for direct input and potentially greater emotional closure or sense of justice for victims and their families.
Mandates consistent procedures statewide. , which could reduce disparities in how victims are treated and ensure a more uniform application of victims’ rights across New York.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Let Victims Speak at Parole
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
4 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to codes
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.366
- Referred to codes
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to codes
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–1
Show 4 earlier actions
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.358
- 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 Stacey Pheffer Amato
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
630
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. STAVISKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose or general idea of bill
Crime victims would be automatically notified of upcoming parole hear- ings of their assailants, allows them to testify at those hearings, and obligates district attorneys to inform crime victims of their right to file a victim impact statement. Currently, most crime victims are unaware of their right to file written crime victim impact statements or be informed of upcoming parole hearings of their attackers.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 440.50 of the criminal procedure law, as amended by section 80 of subpart 8 of part C of chapter 62 of the laws of 2021 is amended to require district attorneys to inform crime victims of their right to submit a written victim impact statement to the state division of parole and of the right to be informed of their assailant's parole hearing. This bill also allows crime victims to appear at the parole board hearing to make a statement before the parole board and notifies them of this right.
Sections 2. Sets forth the effective date.
Justification
While the mechanism to submit a victim impact statement already exists, few crime victims are aware of their right to submit this statement, nor are most informed of their right to be notified when their assailant is up for parole. Many crime victims do not file written victim impact statements, suggesting that most are unaware of the right to do so.
The effect that a crime can have on its victim(s) can be devastating, but the criminal justice system does not encourage crime victims to voice the impact an offense, has had on them mentally, physically, emotionally or financially. The district attorney's office, which is in close communication with the victims, rarely informs them of their right to file victim impact statements. The victim impact statement, if avail- able, is put in the criminal's permanent file with the Division of Parole and is reviewed by the parole board examining an inmate's applic6tion for early release.
When parole boards review an inmate's application for release, insuffi- cient consideration is given to the effect the criminal's action has had on the victim(s). Parole board members need tc be reminded of the reason the inmate is in prison and the nature of the crime committed. fricreas- ing the response rate for victim impact statements and allowing crime victims the opportunity to speak at parole board hearings will present to parole boards a reminder of the impact the criminals' actions have had on their victims.
Prior legislative h/story
2005-2006: A.4438/S.2230 - Referred to Codes.
2007-2008: A.4741/S.2664 - Referred to Codes.
2009-2010: A.4539/S.1748 - Referred to Codes.
2011-2012: A.No same as/S.1781-A - Referred to Codes.
2013-2014: A.2409/S.476 - Referred to Codes.
2015-2016: A.89/S.3154 - Referred to Codes.
2017-2018: A.No same as/S.5220 - Referred to Codes.
2019-2020: A.No same as/S.2924 - Referred to codes.
2021-2022: A.9074/S.6647-B - Referred to Education.
2023-2024: A.2724/S1815 - Referred to Codes.
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
Effective date
This bill shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.