Bill > S04064

This bill establishes the "Michael K. Williams grant program" to incentivize counties to reduce prison populations through a competitive grant process administered by the attorney general. Counties can apply for grants up to $350,000 by demonstrating their ability to collect and analyze criminal justice data, including racial and ethnic disparities, and by developing a strategic plan to decrease local jail and prison populations. To be eligible, applicants must set benchmarks for decarceration, show that their crime rate has not increased by more than 3%, and commit to using any financial savings from reduced incarceration to support community-based efforts. The bill appropriates $7 million for the program and requires that grant recipients collaborate with law enforcement, courts, public defenders, and community organizations. Importantly, grantees cannot use funds to construct new correctional facilities, and they will have their grants terminated if they fail to meet incarceration reduction goals for two consecutive years. The legislation is named after Michael K. Williams, an actor known for his advocacy for criminal justice reform, and is designed to encourage more strategic and community-focused approaches to addressing incarceration.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4064