Bill > A00918

This bill amends the Executive Law and Penal Law to authorize early parole release for incarcerated individuals where substance abuse was a significant contributing factor in the commission of the offense. The key provisions include: (1) allowing incarcerated individuals who have successfully completed substance abuse treatment and have not been disciplined for drug, marijuana, or alcohol use for at least two years to be eligible for early release to community supervision once they have completed one-half of their minimum period of incarceration, with certain exceptions; (2) providing criteria for determining whether substance abuse was a significant contributing factor in the commission of the offense; and (3) allowing the court to make a finding that substance abuse was a significant contributing factor in the commission of the offense when sentencing individuals convicted of controlled substance or marijuana offenses.